Career Trends: Forest and Conservation Workers

Forest and conservation workers measure and improve the quality of forests. Under the supervision of foresters and forest and conservation technicians, they develop, maintain, and protect forests.

Forest and conversation workers typically work for state and local governments or on privately owned forest lands or nurseries. Governments also employ forest and conservation workers on a contract basis.

Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma before they begin working. Most workers get on-the-job training.

Employment of forest and conservation workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2014 to 2024, slower than the average for all occupations. Although improved technology will lessen the need for workers to perform certain tasks, heightened international demand for U.S. timber and wood pellets may help increase demand for forest and conservation workers.

This occupation supported 10,500 jobs in 2012 and 14,000 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 33.3%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 4.8% in 2022 to 11,000 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 10,600, compared with an observed value of 14,000, 32.1% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 5.7% in 2024 to 14,600 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 11,100 jobs for 2024, 24.0% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.