SOC 454011

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.

National Median

$43,680

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$43,680

Entry Level (10th pct)

$33,050

Experienced (90th pct)

$54,190

Total Employed

5,630

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$33,050 - $36,400
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$36,400 - $45,200
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$45,200 - $54,190

Highest Paying Locations for Forest and Conservation Workers

Illinois

$64,430

+47.5% vs national

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

$55,790

+27.7% vs national

Ohio

$53,350

+22.1% vs national

Pennsylvania

$49,160

+12.5% vs national

Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

$48,200

+10.3% vs national

Forest and Conservation Workers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Illinois	$64,430	60
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$55,790	70
Ohio	$53,350	80
Pennsylvania	$49,160	220
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	$48,200	30
Pittsburgh, PA	$48,050	40
Arkansas	$46,110	N/A
Idaho	$46,010	60
Colorado	$45,420	60
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$44,720	N/A
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$43,680	310
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$43,680	160
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$43,680	100
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$43,680	270
Salinas, CA	$43,680	30
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$43,680	220
California	$43,680	1,840
Massachusetts	$43,630	N/A
Washington	$43,480	200
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$43,460	N/A
Missouri	$43,330	N/A
Oregon	$42,810	140
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$42,810	100
Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$42,470	60
New Jersey	$41,600	60
Louisiana	$40,830	210
Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area	$40,370	40
Knoxville, TN	$40,320	30
Tennessee	$40,320	220
North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area	$40,320	30
Indiana	$40,140	40
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$39,040	130
Texas	$38,720	50
Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area	$38,710	50
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area	$38,480	50
North Carolina	$38,000	N/A
Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$37,960	40
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$37,930	N/A
Georgia	$37,930	180
Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$37,690	150
South Dakota	$37,690	670
Florida	$36,970	100
South Carolina	$36,810	210
New Mexico	$36,460	N/A
Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area	$36,460	N/A
West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$36,090	200
East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$35,440	250
Wisconsin	$35,320	280
Connecticut	$35,300	50
Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$35,020	40

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Forest and Conservation Workers?

The national median annual salary for Forest and Conservation Workers is $43,680, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Forest and Conservation Workerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Forest and Conservation Workerss is Illinois, with a median salary of $64,430.

How much can an experienced Forest and Conservation Workers make?

Top-earning Forest and Conservation Workerss (90th percentile) make $54,190 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.