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LER.me
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  1. Occupations
  2. Foresters

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.

SOC: 19-1032.00

Common Job Titles

  • Area Forester
  • Forester
  • Silviculturist
  • Timber Sales Administrator (Timber Sales Admin)

Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Foresters (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

9,650

Wage Distribution by Percentile

Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $49,240. 25th percentile: U.S. $58,810. 50th percentile: U.S. $70,660. 75th percentile: U.S. $85,450. 90th percentile: U.S. $103,220. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.

  • U.S.
MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$49,240
10% of workers earn the following or more$103,220
Workers on average earn$74,670

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
  • English Language3.8/5
  • Administration and Management3.8/5
  • Biology3.7/5
  • Law and Government3.4/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Technology Skills

  • ESRI ArcView
  • Forest Metrix
  • Forest vegetation simulators
  • Forest yield software
  • Fountains Forestry TwoDog
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Global positioning system GPS software
Tools & Technology: Technology Skills

Tools & Equipment

  • All-terrain vehicles ATV
  • Backpack sprayers
  • Brush chippers
  • Bucket trucks
  • Chainsaws
  • Computer data input scanners
  • Computer laser printers
  • Digital clinometers
Tools & Technology: Tools & Equipment

Related Occupations

Occupations with similar skills and knowledge requirements

Most Similar

  • Forest and Conservation Technicians 19-4071.00
  • Range Managers 19-1031.02
  • Conservation Scientists 19-1031.00
  • Environmental Restoration Planners 19-2041.02
  • Forest and Conservation Workers 45-4011.00

Moderately Similar

  • Soil and Plant Scientists 19-1013.00
  • Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 19-2041.00
  • Industrial Ecologists 19-2041.03
  • Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists 33-2022.00
  • Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers 11-9199.11

Related

  • First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers 45-1011.00
  • Fallers 45-4021.00
  • Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 19-1023.00
  • Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health 19-4042.00
  • Precision Agriculture Technicians 19-4012.01
  • Chief Sustainability Officers 11-1011.03
  • Agricultural Engineers 17-2021.00
  • Water Resource Specialists 11-9121.02
  • Hydrologists 19-2043.00
  • Environmental Engineers 17-2081.00

Related Programs

Education programs that prepare you for this occupation

  • CertificationNRCS Fundamentals of Conservation & Sustainability in AgricultureIssuer: ICEV
  • Bachelor's DegreeForestryIssuer: Alabama A&M University
  • Doctoral DegreeWildlife Sciences — PhDIssuer: Auburn University
  • Master's DegreeWildlife Sciences — MSIssuer: Auburn University
  • Post-Baccalaureate CertificateRestoration Ecology — Graduate CertificateIssuer: Auburn University
  • Post-Baccalaureate CertificateOne Health — Graduate CertificateIssuer: Auburn University
  • Master's DegreeNatural Resources — MSIssuer: Auburn University
  • Master's DegreeNatural Resources — MNRIssuer: Auburn University
  • Doctoral DegreeForestry — PhDIssuer: Auburn University
  • Master's DegreeForestry — MSIssuer: Auburn University