Forest and Conservation Workers
Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Forest and Conservation Workers to decrease by -1.5% between 2024 and 2034, from 14,700 to 14,500 jobs. Its estimate of 2,200 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($43,680), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
14,700
Projected employment (2034)
14,500
Projected change (2024–2034)
-2%
Annual openings (projected average)
2,200
Pay & Preparation
$43,680
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Monitoring (3.12/5) • Critical Thinking (3.12/5) • Reading Comprehension (3/5) • Active Listening (3/5) • Active Learning (3/5) • Speaking (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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