Conservation Scientists
Median wage · national
$73,010
Range: $58K – $92K
Employed
26K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: bachelor's degree
TRADES
Forest and Conservation Technicians
Forest and Conservation Technicians earn $54,560 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $47,360 and $68,600. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Forest and Conservation Technicians
This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a forest and conservation technicians: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Natural Resources Conservation and Research and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.
Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.
- Median Wage
- $54,560
- Employed Nationally
- 30K
- Openings / Year
- 3,800
- Entry Education
- Associate's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Biological Science Aide
Conservation Agent
Conservation Officer
Conservation Technician
Field Technician (Field Tech)
How Much Do Forest and Conservation Technicians Make?
Most forest and conservation technicians take home around $54,560 a year, below what most graduates with a bachelor's make. Half earn somewhere between $47,360 and $68,600, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. Think carefully about how much debt is worth taking on for it. Source: BLS.
A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.
$54,560
National Median (Annual)
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$47K–$69K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$47,360
Entry-level
$54,560
Median
$68,600
Experienced
What Do Forest and Conservation Technicians Do?
This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.
What You'll Do
- Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
- Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
- Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.
- Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage.
- Map forest tract data using digital mapping systems.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Time Management
Speaking
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Where Do Forest and Conservation Technicians Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Forest and Conservation Technicians?
Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by -2.1%, meaning it is shrinking, so expect more competition for fewer roles. Around 3,800 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.
Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.
↘ -2.1%
10-Year Growth (2025–2035)
Declining employment projected.
3,800
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
30K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Forest and Conservation Technicians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $54,560 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 6,640 | $58,120 | +6.5% |
| 2 | Oregon | 2,530 | $55,910 | +2.5% |
| 3 | Idaho | 2,020 | $53,290 | -2.3% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,760 | $52,420 | -3.9% |
| 5 | Arizona | 1,310 | $56,660 | +3.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
To get hired here you will usually need a associate's degree. The 2 programs below are the most common routes in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.
The next most common path is a Forestry program and the colleges offering it, which suits a different kind of applicant.
Typical Entry Education
Associate's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 23,672 | $55,012 | 1,078 |
| 2 | Forestry | 2,243 | $58,784 | 133 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Forest and Conservation Technicians
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 6 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Forest and Conservation Technicians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Forest and Conservation Technicians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Forest and Conservation Technicians Pros & Cons
Forest and Conservation Technicians has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 1 upsides and 2 concerns below are all data-sourced.
PROS
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a associate's degree, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Modest median salary At $54,560 median, this career lags STEM and business fields. High-cost degree programs may be difficult to justify on salary alone.
- Declining employment The BLS projects -2.1% employment change through 2035. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.
Forest and Conservation Technicians Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Forest and Conservation Technicians professionals earn?
Around $54,560 a year for the typical worker, below the national median, program ROI depends heavily on keeping tuition costs low. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,360 and $68,600. Treat the national figure as a starting point rather than a promise: employer size, industry and city all move it.
Is Forest and Conservation Technicians a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -2.1% employment change through 2035. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $54,560 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How do I become a Forest and Conservation Technicians?
Most Forest and Conservation Technicians positions require a associate's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Natural Resources Conservation and Research are common starting points.
Why are Forest and Conservation Technicians jobs declining?
The BLS projects -2.1% employment change for Forest and Conservation Technicians through 2035. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 3,800 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 30K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
What skills do Forest and Conservation Technicians professionals need?
Mainly Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Time Management, and Speaking. Notice how many of those are habits rather than facts: they come from doing the work, not from a lecture. That is why programs with an internship or co-op requirement put you ahead of people who only studied the theory. Source: O*NET.
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