Occupations · Life, Physical, and Social Science

Forest and Conservation Technicians

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 19-4071.00

$54,310median annual wage, May 2024

31,080people employed, United States

▼ 3.2%projected change, 2024→2034

3,900openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 19% between 2019 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	$58,660	610
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$66,020	600
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$66,020	590
Bend-Redmond, OR	$59,360	440
Boise City, ID	$54,310	420
Missoula, MT	$59,360	380
Flagstaff, AZ	$54,310	360
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	$47,500	350
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	$65,060	340
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$62,570	280
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	$60,380	260
Fairbanks, AK	$55,370	230

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: Associate's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Keep records of the amount and condition of logs taken to mills.
Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
Manage forest protection activities, including fire control, fire crew training, and coordination of fire detection and public education programs.
Monitor activities of logging companies and contractors.
Perform reforestation or forest renewal, including nursery and silviculture operations, site preparation, seeding and tree planting programs, cone collection, and tree improvement.
Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
Plan and supervise construction of access routes and forest roads.
Select and mark trees for thinning or logging, drawing detailed plans that include access roads.
Supervise forest nursery operations, timber harvesting, land use activities such as livestock grazing, and disease or insect control programs.
Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.
Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage.
Develop and maintain computer databases.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking3.8

Active Listening3.8

Reading Comprehension3.4

Speaking3.2

Monitoring3.1

Learning Strategies3.0

Active Learning3.0

Writing3.0

Science2.8

Mathematics2.8

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

ESRI ArcGIS software●Facebook●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Word●Allegro LandmarkAssisi CompilerAssisi ForestAssisi InventoryAtterbury Consultants SuperAceAutodesk AutoCAD LTBen Meadows Yeoman ExpeditionComputer graphics softwareCorel PresentationDatabase softwareESRI ArcViewFire behavior modeling softwareForest EcoSurveyGeographic information system GIS systemsGeomechanical design analysis GDA softwareHARVESTHaglof Sweden AB TCruise Forest InventoryJRP Consulting Plant WizardJRP Consulting Survey Wizard

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions+2.1 above average

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment+2.0 above average

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled+1.9 above average

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings+1.6 above average

Outdoors, Under Cover+1.5 above average

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures+1.4 above average

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment+1.1 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2018-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)35%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)35%

Bachelor's Degree14%

Some College Courses10%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2018-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic6.5

Conventional4.7

Investigative4.4

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Develop contracts related to operations.
Monitor environmental conditions such as temperature or humidity.
Operate and manage drone technology for aerial surveys and mapping, wildlife monitoring, and forest health assessments.
Write reports on forestry or conservation activities.

O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Judgment and Decision Making3.2

Time Management3.2

Coordination3.1

Instructing3.1

Social Perceptiveness3.1

Complex Problem Solving3.0

Systems Analysis3.0

Service Orientation3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Public Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementGeography

Abilities it leans on

Problem SensitivityOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionInformation OrderingWritten ComprehensionDeductive Reasoning

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

Grazing AideForester AideForestry AideGrazing ExaminerRange TechnicianTimber AppraiserForest TechnicianConservation AgentResource TechnicianConservation OfficerBiological Science AideConservation TechnicianForestry Aid TechnicianForestry Aide Technician

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2020

Comparing O*NET release 25.1 (2020-11-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 3 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 3

+Assisi Inventory+Geographic information system GIS systems+USDA Forest Vegetation Simulator FVS

No longer listed 6

−Word processing software−Desktop publishing software−Forest Vegetation Simulator FVS−Computer aided design CAD software−Assisi Software Forest Inventory−Spreadsheet software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

Grazing AideForester AideForestry AideRange TechnicianTimber AppraiserGrazing ExaminerForest TechnicianConservation AgentResource TechnicianForestry TechnicianConservation OfficerConservation Technician

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
forestry technician	3143.1	exact
forester	1311.1	close
forest ranger	6210.1	close
forest worker	9215.1	close
forestry inspector	3359.4	close
forestry adviser	2132.5	close
conservation scientist	2133.3	close
nature conservation officer	2133.9	close

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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