Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care career

Forest and Conservation Worker

Also called: Forestry Aide · Tree Planter · Trail Crew Member · Conservation Corps Member

What forest and conservation workers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a forest and conservation worker do?

Forest and conservation workers plant seedlings, thin and clear brush, maintain trails, fight insects and disease, and help with fire prevention under foresters and conservation scientists. The median pay is $43,680 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–3 months, and employment is projected to grow -1.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $43,680
    $21.00/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    -1.5%
    2025–35, a projected decline
  • Openings per year
    2,200
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1–3 months
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    14,700
    Employment, 2025

What forest and conservation workers do

Forest and conservation workers do the hands-on work of caring for forests and public lands. They plant seedlings, thin trees, clear brush, remove invasive plants, build and maintain trails, control erosion, mark trees for harvest and support wildfire prevention projects. Employers include government agencies, conservation corps, timber companies and nonprofits.

Most workers have a high school diploma and learn on the job, often starting in seasonal crews. Experience can lead to forestry technician, wildland firefighter or conservation technician roles.

Typical duties

  • Plant seedlings
  • Thin trees and clear brush
  • Remove invasive plants
  • Build and maintain trails
  • Control erosion
  • Mark trees and boundaries
  • Support fire prevention projects

Work environment and schedule

Workers are outdoors in forests and parks, often in rugged terrain and remote areas, in all weather.

Schedule: Work is often seasonal, with some crews camping in the field for days at a time.

A day in the life

  1. Meet the crew and review the job hazard analysis.
  2. Hike to the work site with tools.
  3. Plant seedlings on a burned slope.
  4. Lunch on the trail.

See a full day in the life of a forest and conservation worker →

Forest and Conservation Worker salary

Half of forest and conservation workers earned more than $43,680 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $33,780 for the lowest 10% to $57,220 for the top 10%.

Full forest and conservation worker pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a forest and conservation worker

  1. Join a seasonal crew
  2. Learn tools and safety
  3. Gain field experience
  4. Learn technical skills
  5. Advance

A high school diploma is typical. Workers learn on the job; conservation corps offer training.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a forest and conservation worker →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Tree planting
  • Chainsaw and brush cutting
  • Trail construction
  • Plant identification
  • Erosion control

People skills

  • Stamina
  • Teamwork
  • Resilience
  • Safety awareness

All forest and conservation worker skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Work in nature
  • Make a visible environmental impact
  • Learn on the job
  • Path to forestry and fire careers

Cons

  • Physically demanding
  • Seasonal work
  • Remote and rugged locations
  • Weather and insects

Certifications and licenses

  • Sawyer certification: Agency chainsaw certification.
  • Wilderness first aid: First aid for remote areas.
  • Wildland firefighter training (S-130/S-190): Basic fire training.
  • Pesticide applicator license: For invasive plant treatment.

Career path

  1. Crew Member: Plant, cut and build.
  2. Crew Lead: Lead crews.
  3. Forestry Technician: Technical work.
  4. Forester or Fire Specialist: Manage forests.

Learn the job before day one

Our Forest and Conservation Worker training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as plant a tree seedling and build a trail water bar, safety and how to land your first job.

View Forest and Conservation Worker trainingIs this career right for me?

Conservation Technician

Measure forests, maintain trails and help manage land, wildlife and water resources.

  • $54,560
  • 2 years

Arborist

Climb, prune and care for trees to keep them healthy and safe.

  • $50,960
  • 1–3 months to start

Compare: Forestry Worker vs. Conservation Technician · Forestry Worker vs. Fire Prevention Specialist · Forestry Worker vs. Arborist · Forestry Worker vs. Logging Equipment Operator

Forest and Conservation Worker FAQ

Do forestry workers need a degree?

No; most learn on the job.

Is the work seasonal?

Often, especially planting and trail crews.

Can this lead to wildland firefighting?

Yes, many workers move into fire roles.

How much does a forest and conservation worker make?

The median annual wage for forest and conservation workers was $43,680 ($21.00 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,780 and the highest 10% earned more than $57,220.

How long does it take to become a forest and conservation worker?

Most people need about 1–3 months of training. A high school diploma is typical. Workers learn on the job; conservation corps offer training.

Do you need a degree to be a forest and conservation worker?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More forest and conservation worker questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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