Career comparison
Forest and Conservation Worker vs. Forestry and Conservation Professor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Forestry and conservation professors earn more at the median ($101,420 vs. $43,680), while forest and conservation workers usually get to work faster (1–3 months of training). Forest and conservation workers plant trees, build trails and help keep forests healthy. Forestry and conservation professors teach and research forests, wildlife and natural resource management.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Forest and Conservation Worker | Forestry and Conservation Professor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $43,680 ($21.00/hr) | $101,420 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $33,780 – $57,220 | $50,100 – $148,920 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.5% (a projected decline) | +2.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 2,200 | 100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 1–3 months | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s |
| Key credential | Sawyer certification | Ph.D. in forestry or ecology |
| Work setting | Workers are outdoors in forests and parks, often in rugged terrain and remote areas, in all weather.. | Faculty work in classrooms, labs, forests and field stations.. |
What each job does
Forest and Conservation Worker
- Plant seedlings
- Thin trees and clear brush
- Remove invasive plants
- Build and maintain trails
- Control erosion
Forestry and Conservation Professor
- Teach forestry and conservation courses
- Lead field labs
- Conduct research
- Partner with agencies
- Mentor students
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors. They sit in different fields, agriculture, landscaping & animal care and education & childcare, but share transferable skills such as stamina and leadership in the field.
Which should you choose?
Choose forest and conservation worker if…
- I love being outdoors
- I want to help the environment
- I like hard physical work
Choose forestry and conservation professor if…
- I love forests and wildlife
- I like teaching outdoors
- I enjoy research
Still torn? Take the Forest and Conservation Worker fit quiz and the Forestry and Conservation Professor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, forest and conservation worker or forestry and conservation professor?
Forestry and Conservation Professors earn more at the median: $101,420 versus $43,680 for forest and conservation workers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Forest and Conservation Workers typically train faster (1–3 months) than forestry and conservation professors (5–7 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects forestry and conservation professors to grow +2.8% from 2025–35, compared with -1.5% for forest and conservation workers.