Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
Foresters
SOC: 19-1032 O*NET: 19-1032.00
Median Salary
$76,400
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
What does a Foresters do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$50,790
10th percentile
Early Career
$62,710
25th percentile
Median
$76,400
50th percentile
Experienced
$91,640
75th percentile
Top Earners
$109,700
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$50,790
25th
$62,710
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$76,400
Mean: $79,170
75th
$91,640
90th
$109,700
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $58,910 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $62,710 and $91,640
- •Salary spread is 37.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 10,430 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:13,200
Top Industries
Utilities8.7%
Utilities8.7%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services6.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.2%
Annual Openings:900
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)13,200
Current
2035 (Projected)13,500
+2.2%
+300
Employment Change
+2.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Foresters professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 45 locations
Washington
950 jobs$78,4604.00x
California
820 jobs$107,1200.67x
Oregon
670 jobs$81,4505.06x
Wisconsin
570 jobs$66,0102.89x
Minnesota
390 jobs$76,4901.97x
Florida
380 jobs$64,1300.57x
Georgia
370 jobs$76,9701.11x
Michigan
340 jobs$75,9201.15x
Virginia
340 jobs$71,9901.24x
Pennsylvania
310 jobs$78,2800.77x
New York
280 jobs$73,7100.43x
Idaho
280 jobs$65,1704.92x
South Carolina
250 jobs$86,7801.61x
Alabama
240 jobs$79,5301.70x
Montana
240 jobs$67,2006.95x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Oral Comprehension
100%
#4
English Language
94%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
94%
#6
Information Ordering
92%
#7
Speaking
86%
#8
Administration and Management
86%
#9
Oral Expression
82%
#10
Biology
80%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
English Language
advanced4.7
94%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.7
94%
Information Ordering
advanced4.6
92%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Administration and Management
intermediate4.3
86%
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
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
English Language
advancedImportance94%
knowledge
4.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Information Ordering
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Administration and Management
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Oral Expression
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Biology
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Law and Government
intermediateImportance74%
knowledge
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Web Administrators100%
5 shared skills
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors100%
5 shared skills
Actuaries82%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers82%
5 shared skills
Water Resource Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
- ✓Administration and Management
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Writing
- →Mathematics
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓English Language
- ✓Administration and Management
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★English Language
- ★Biology
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 Foresters
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 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
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 OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME 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 outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Planning & Development (6)Management & Supervision (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Supervise activities of other forestry workers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Choose and prepare sites for new trees, using controlled burning, bulldozers, or herbicides to clear weeds, brush, and logging debris.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Plan and supervise forestry projects, such as determining the type, number and placement of trees to be planted, managing tree nurseries, thinning forest and monitoring growth of new seedlings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Direct, and participate in, forest fire suppression.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Analyze effect of forest conditions on tree growth rates and tree species prevalence and the yield, duration, seed production, growth viability, and germination of different species.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Monitor forest-cleared lands to ensure that they are reclaimed to their most suitable end use.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% 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 Foresters
💡 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?
Foresters professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Foresters
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.47
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.28
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.22
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.95
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.89
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.88
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.5
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Concern for Others
3.9
Self-Control
3.9
Independence
3.9
Attention to Detail
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.8
Initiative
3.7
💡 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
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Foresters.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Foresters
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