Forest and Conservation Workers Career, Salary and Skills
Forest and Conservation Workers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $43,680 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 6,050. Wage data is published for 47 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
45-4011.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$43,680
Hourly median
$21.00
Employment
6,050
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Active Listening | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Active Learning | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 3.25 |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.88 | 2.50 |
| Time Management | 2.88 | 2.75 |
Typical tasks
- Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians.
- Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
- Confer with other workers to discuss issues, such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.
- Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts.
- Explain or enforce regulations regarding camping, vehicle use, fires, use of buildings, or sanitation.
- Operate skidders, bulldozers, or other prime movers to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation equipment over areas to be regenerated.
- Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation.
- Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
Technology
- Database software
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- IBM Lotus Notes
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Windows
Forest and Conservation Workers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in CAMedian $43,680 · Employment 2,270
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in SDMedian $38,210 · Employment 490
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in WAMedian $44,430 · Employment 460
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $43,680 · Employment 370
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in Sacramento, CAMedian $43,680 · Employment 330
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in WIMedian $36,420 · Employment 300
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in Seattle, WAMedian $45,510 · Employment 220
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in PAMedian $50,250 · Employment 210
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in TNMedian $40,320 · Employment 210
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in Oxnard, CAMedian $43,680 · Employment 180
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in GAMedian $34,150 · Employment 160
- Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in OHMedian $48,470 · Employment 160
Related careers
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthNational median $82,220
- Fish and Game WardensNational median $74,060
- FirefightersNational median $59,280
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System OperatorsNational median $60,020
- Agricultural Equipment OperatorsNational median $41,730
- Environmental Restoration PlannersNational median $82,220
- Soil and Plant ScientistsNational median $78,850
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry WorkersNational median $59,320
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.