Foresters
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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 290 | $73,820 | $35.49 | |
| Alaska | 80 | $78,750 | $37.86 | |
| Arizona | 120 | $59,840 | $28.77 | |
| Arkansas | 170 | $58,080 | $27.92 | |
| California | 520 | $78,110 | $37.55 | |
| Colorado | 170 | $61,620 | $29.62 | |
| Connecticut | 130 | $73,870 | $35.51 | |
| District of Columbia | 30 | $107,120 | $51.50 | |
| Florida | 240 | $71,480 | $34.36 | |
| Georgia | 450 | $74,470 | $35.80 | |
| Idaho | 360 | $61,840 | $29.73 | |
| Illinois | 270 | $80,930 | $38.91 | |
| Indiana | 130 | $60,730 | $29.20 | |
| Iowa | 60 | $72,750 | $34.98 | |
| Kentucky | 100 | $48,030 | $23.09 | |
| Louisiana | 90 | $72,310 | $34.76 | |
| Maryland | 50 | $73,710 | $35.44 | |
| Massachusetts | 180 | $74,170 | $35.66 | |
| Michigan | 300 | $72,080 | $34.65 | |
| Minnesota | 340 | $67,960 | $32.67 | |
| Mississippi | 330 | $46,010 | $22.12 | |
| Missouri | 110 | $55,690 | $26.78 | |
| Montana | 260 | $63,200 | $30.38 | |
| Nebraska | 30 | $71,180 | $34.22 | |
| New Hampshire | 80 | $66,960 | $32.19 | |
| New Jersey | 30 | $91,050 | $43.77 | |
| New Mexico | 50 | $68,690 | $33.03 | |
| New York | 230 | $76,240 | $36.65 | |
| North Carolina | 270 | $65,610 | $31.54 | |
| Ohio | 160 | $69,760 | $33.54 | |
| Oklahoma | 40 | $53,870 | $25.90 | |
| Oregon | 470 | $71,870 | $34.55 | |
| Pennsylvania | 340 | $76,520 | $36.79 | |
| South Carolina | 210 | $60,480 | $29.08 | |
| South Dakota | 130 | $55,240 | $26.56 | |
| Tennessee | 130 | $59,870 | $28.78 | |
| Texas | $50,230 | $24.15 | ||
| Utah | 50 | $60,240 | $28.96 | |
| Vermont | 70 | $64,710 | $31.11 | |
| Virginia | 330 | $67,770 | $32.58 | |
| Washington | 570 | $83,190 | $40.00 | |
| West Virginia | 110 | $61,770 | $29.70 | |
| Wisconsin | 520 | $61,980 | $29.80 | |
| Wyoming | 60 | $63,200 | $30.38 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A general program that focuses on the studies and activities relating to the natural environment and its conservation, use, and improvement. Includes instruction in subjects such as climate, air, soil, water, land, fish and wildlife, and plant resources; in the basic principles of environmental science and natural resources management; and the recreational and economic uses of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
A program that prepares individuals to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. Includes instruction in the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.
A program that generally prepares individuals to manage and develop forest areas for economic, recreational, and ecological purposes. Includes instruction in forest-related sciences, mapping, statistics, harvesting and production technology, natural resources management and economics, wildlife sciences, administration, and public relations.
A program that focuses on the application of one or more forest-related sciences to the study of environmental factors affecting forests and the growth and management of forest resources. Includes instruction in forest biology, forest hydrology, forest mensuration, silviculture, forest soils, water resources, environmental science, forest resources management, and wood science.
A program that prepares individuals to apply principles of forestry and natural resources management to the administration of forest lands and related resources. Includes instruction in silviculture, forest mensuration, forest protection, inventorying, biometrics, geographic information systems, remote sensing, photogrammetry, forest policy and economics, forest land use planning, fire protection and management, and related administrative skills.
A program that prepares individuals to apply the principles of forestry and related sciences to the development, care, and maintenance of individual trees and forested areas within or close to areas of dense human habitation. Includes instruction in urban environments; effects of pollution on tree species; environmental design and landscaping; urban pest infestation; urban forest management; and applicable policies and regulations.
A program that focuses on the application of chemical, physical, and engineering principles to the analysis of the properties and behavior of wood and wood products and the development of processes for converting wood into paper and other products. Includes instruction in wood classification and testing, product development, manufacturing and processing technologies, and the design and development of related equipment and systems.
A program that focuses on the application of forestry principles to the production, harvesting, and processing of forest resources and that prepares individuals to perform associated technical and managerial functions. Includes instruction in forest production and utilization, industrial forestry, agroforestry, transplantation, timber harvesting, selection and identification of trees, processing technologies and systems, equipment operations and maintenance, and related management skills.
Any program in forestry not listed above.
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$67,710 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as foresters.
- Less than high school 0%
- High school graduate 0%
- College dropout 0%
- Associate’s degree 0%
- Bachelor’s degree 76%
- Master’s degree 19%
- Doctorate degree 5%
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