Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.
Forest and Conservation Technicians
SOC: 19-4071 O*NET: 19-4071.00
Median Salary
$54,310
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.
What does a Forest and Conservation Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,190
10th percentile
Early Career
$42,560
25th percentile
Median
$54,310
50th percentile
Experienced
$66,020
75th percentile
Top Earners
$80,790
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,190
25th
$42,560
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$54,310
Mean: $56,660
75th
$66,020
90th
$80,790
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $44,600 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $42,560 and $66,020
- •Salary spread is 43.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 31,080 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:33,800
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services4.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services4.5%
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services3.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.2%
Annual Openings:3,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)33,800
Current
2034 (Projected)32,700
-3.2%
-1,100
Employment Change
-3.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Forest and Conservation Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 43 locations
California
6,440 jobs$60,8801.77x
Oregon
2,750 jobs$55,8106.94x
Idaho
2,110 jobs$54,31012.37x
Montana
1,940 jobs$54,31018.85x
Arizona
1,350 jobs$54,3102.10x
Utah
1,270 jobs$44,7803.69x
Washington
1,240 jobs$54,3101.74x
Colorado
1,230 jobs$54,3102.11x
Illinois
960 jobs$45,5700.78x
Nevada
760 jobs$53,3502.48x
North Carolina
740 jobs$45,5700.75x
Minnesota
670 jobs$63,5401.14x
Wisconsin
630 jobs$52,6201.07x
Wyoming
590 jobs$53,25010.51x
Alaska
470 jobs$54,8107.28x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Instructing
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Instructing
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Instructing
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film82%
5 shared skills
Choreographers82%
5 shared skills
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare82%
5 shared skills
Recycling Coordinators82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Instructing
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Forest and Conservation Technicians
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASP
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
ESRI ArcGIS software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (7)General Responsibilities (8)Management & Supervision (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Monitor activities of logging companies and contractors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Select and mark trees for thinning or logging, drawing detailed plans that include access roads.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Manage forest protection activities, including fire control, fire crew training, and coordination of fire detection and public education programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Survey, measure, and map access roads and forest areas such as burns, cut-over areas, experimental plots, and timber sales sections.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Keep records of the amount and condition of logs taken to mills.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Supervise forest nursery operations, timber harvesting, land use activities such as livestock grazing, and disease or insect control programs.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Forest and Conservation Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Forest and Conservation Technicians professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Forest and Conservation Technicians
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.38
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.36
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.33
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.27
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.17
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.08
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
Independence
4.1
Concern for Others
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Self-Control
4.0
Leadership
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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