What they do

Foresters play important roles in land management, conservation and rehabilitation. They plan and help carry out forestry projects, like planting new trees, monitoring and conserving wildlife habitats, choosing and preparing timber plots, assessing current timber value and suppressing forest fires. They may supervise forest and conservation technicians and ensure that projects are completed legally and consciously.

Where they work

A week in a forester’s life could take you to a variety of locations, the most obvious being the forest! But you may find their offices in places such as:

  • Research facilities

  • Government agencies

  • Private businesses

  • Home offices as consultants for landowners

Education

A bachelor's degree in forestry or a related field, such as agricultural science or environmental science.

If you enjoy…

  • Working outside in forests or wooded areas

  • Sustainably managing land for forest health and wildlife

  • Collecting and analyzing data

  • Responsibility of managing land from planting seedlings to overseeing logging

…then this may be a job for you!

Median Salary

$60,480

Employment Growth

2% from 2020-2030

Job Titles

  • Area Forester

  • District Forester

  • GIS Forester

  • Fire Prevention Forester

  • Forest Practices Field Coordinator

  • Procurement Forester

  • Silviculturist

  • Timber Marker

  • Timber Sales Administrator