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Skilled Trades

Forest and Conservation Workers

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$43,680

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$34k – $57k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Forest and Conservation Workers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Forest and Conservation Workers

    Entry / Junior

    $33,780

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Forest and Conservation Workers

    Established

    $43,680

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Forest and Conservation Workers

    Senior

    $50,450

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.