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.
Forest and Conservation Workers
SOC: 45-4011 O*NET: 45-4011.00
Median Salary
$43,680
per year
Job Growth
📉 -4.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Forest and Conservation Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$33,050
10th percentile
Early Career
$36,400
25th percentile
Median
$43,680
50th percentile
Experienced
$45,200
75th percentile
Top Earners
$54,190
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$33,050
25th
$36,400
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$43,680
Mean: $42,830
75th
$45,200
90th
$54,190
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $21,140 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $36,400 and $45,200
- •Salary spread is 20.1% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 5,630 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:10,800
Top Industries
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations17.9%
Other Services (except Public Administration)17.9%
Social Advocacy Organizations16.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-4.7%
Annual Openings:2,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)10,800
Current
2034 (Projected)10,300
-4.7%
-500
Employment Change
-4.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Forest and Conservation Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 25 locations
California
1,840 jobs$43,6802.79x
South Dakota
670 jobs$37,69040.33x
Wisconsin
280 jobs$35,3202.58x
Pennsylvania
220 jobs$49,1601.02x
Tennessee
220 jobs$40,3201.82x
Louisiana
210 jobs$40,8303.07x
South Carolina
210 jobs$36,8102.54x
Washington
200 jobs$43,4801.57x
Georgia
180 jobs$37,9301.01x
Oregon
140 jobs$42,8102.01x
Florida
100 jobs$36,9700.27x
Ohio
80 jobs$53,3500.41x
Illinois
60 jobs$64,4300.28x
Idaho
60 jobs$46,0101.96x
Colorado
60 jobs$45,4200.60x
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
Monitoring
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
92%
#3
Speaking
82%
#4
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#5
Reading Comprehension
66%
#6
Active Learning
58%
#7
Active Listening
48%
#8
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.6
92%
Speaking
intermediate4.1
82%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.3
66%
Active Learning
basic2.9
58%
Active Listening
basic2.4
48%
Coordination
basic2.0
40%
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:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Air Traffic Controllers80%
5 shared skills
Sustainability Specialists80%
5 shared skills
Carpenters80%
5 shared skills
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists80%
5 shared skills
Range Managers80%
5 shared skills
Environmental Engineers80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★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 Workers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
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 Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 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 Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Excel
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 OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡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 outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Confer with other workers to discuss issues, such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Select or cut trees according to markings or sizes, types, or grades.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Identify diseased or undesirable trees and remove them, using power saws or hand saws.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Thin or space trees, using power thinning saws.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Erect signs or fences, using posthole diggers, shovels, or other hand tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •41% 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 Workers
💡 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 Workers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Forest and Conservation Workers
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.47
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.40
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.27
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.11
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.06
Complete Work Styles Profile
Cooperation
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Integrity
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Leadership
4.1
Initiative
4.1
Self-Control
4.0
Attention to Detail
4.0
Concern for Others
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
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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