Career comparison
Arborist vs. Forest and Conservation Worker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Arborists earn more at the median ($50,960 vs. $43,680), while arborists usually get to work faster (1–3 months to start of training). Arborists climb, prune and care for trees to keep them healthy and safe. Forest and conservation workers plant trees, build trails and help keep forests healthy.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Arborist | Forest and Conservation Worker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $50,960 ($24.50/hr) | $43,680 ($21.00/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,940 – $80,310 | $33,780 – $57,220 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.2% (about as fast as average) | -1.5% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 7,900 | 2,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–3 months to start | 1–3 months |
| Key credential | ISA Certified Arborist | Sawyer certification |
| Work setting | Arborists work outdoors at heights, in all weather, around chainsaws, chippers and sometimes power lines.. | Workers are outdoors in forests and parks, often in rugged terrain and remote areas, in all weather.. |
What each job does
Arborist
- Prune trees and shrubs
- Remove trees safely
- Clear branches from power lines
- Operate chippers and stump grinders
- Climb with ropes and harnesses
Forest and Conservation Worker
- Plant seedlings
- Thin trees and clear brush
- Remove invasive plants
- Build and maintain trails
- Control erosion
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, physical work, hands-on work, and teamwork. Both are part of the agriculture, landscaping & animal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose arborist if…
- I love being outdoors
- I’m comfortable with heights
- I take safety seriously
Choose forest and conservation worker if…
- I love being outdoors
- I want to help the environment
- I like hard physical work
Still torn? Take the Arborist fit quiz and the Forest and Conservation Worker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, arborist or forest and conservation worker?
Arborists earn more at the median: $50,960 versus $43,680 for forest and conservation workers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Arborists typically train faster (1–3 months to start) than forest and conservation workers (1–3 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects arborists to grow +4.2% from 2025–35, compared with -1.5% for forest and conservation workers.