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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Foresters

Median Salary
67,330
Job Outlook
+5%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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 is the job outlook?

Overall employment of conservation scientists and foresters is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 3,900 openings for conservation scientists and foresters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$44,880

10%

$67,330

Median

$85,720

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    83%

  • Associate's degree

    13%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    1%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Forestry, Other
  • Natural Resources/Conservation, General
  • Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, General
  • Forest Sciences and Biology
  • Forest Resources Production and Management
  • Forest Management/Forest Resources Management
  • Forestry, General
  • Urban Forestry
  • Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology/Technician

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administration and Management
  • Biology
  • Mathematics
  • English Language

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Decision Making

    High

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.