How much does a forest and conservation worker make?
The median forest and conservation worker in the United States earns $43,680 per year, about $21.00 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all forest and conservation workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 45-4011.
Forest and conservation worker salary range
Pay for forest and conservation workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,050 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $54,190. The average (mean) wage is $42,830, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,050 | $15.89 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,400 | $17.50 | |
| Median (50th) | $43,680 | $21.00 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $45,200 | $21.73 | |
| 90th percentile | $54,190 | $26.05 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for forest and conservation workers (SOC 45-4011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Forest and conservation worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Forest and conservation workers earn the most in Illinois at $64,430 a year, and the least in Iowa at $30,290. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $64,430 | 60 |
| Ohio | $53,350 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,160 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $46,110 | N/A |
| Idaho | $46,010 | 60 |
| Colorado | $45,420 | 60 |
| California | $43,680 | 1,840 |
| Massachusetts | $43,630 | N/A |
| Washington | $43,480 | 200 |
| Missouri | $43,330 | N/A |
| Oregon | $42,810 | 140 |
| New Jersey | $41,600 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $40,830 | 210 |
| Tennessee | $40,320 | 220 |
| Indiana | $40,140 | 40 |
| Texas | $38,720 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $38,000 | N/A |
| Georgia | $37,930 | 180 |
| South Dakota | $37,690 | 670 |
| Florida | $36,970 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $36,810 | 210 |
| New Mexico | $36,460 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $35,320 | 280 |
| Connecticut | $35,300 | 50 |
| Iowa | $30,290 | N/A |
State median wages for forest and conservation workers (SOC 45-4011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for forest and conservation workers
The BLS projects employment of forest and conservation workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 1.5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 14,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 14,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,200 openings a year for forest and conservation workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a forest and conservation worker
The typical entry-level education for forest and conservation workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a forest and conservation worker earns
Employer, season, region, and level of responsibility shape pay. Supervisory and specialized roles pay above seasonal and entry-level work.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Illinois, $64,430) and the lowest (Iowa, $30,290) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,630 people work as forest and conservation workers in the United States. At $43,680 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Forest and conservation worker salary FAQ
How much does a forest and conservation worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a forest and conservation worker is $21.00. The middle half of forest and conservation workers earn between $17.50 and $21.73 per hour.
What is the highest forest and conservation worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of forest and conservation workers earn more than $54,190 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a forest and conservation worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a forest and conservation worker is $43,680. The average (mean) wage is $42,830, close to the median.
Is being a forest and conservation worker a well paid job?
At $43,680 a year, a forest and conservation worker earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,630 people work as forest and conservation workers in the United States.
Which state pays forest and conservation workers the most?
Illinois has the highest median salary for forest and conservation workers at $64,430 a year. Ohio ($53,350) and Pennsylvania ($49,160) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a forest and conservation worker a good career?
Employment of forest and conservation workers is projected to shrink 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a forest and conservation worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for forest and conservation workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Farming & Outdoors salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.