Career comparison
Forester 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. $76,400), while foresters usually get to work faster (4-year degree of training). Foresters manage forests for timber, wildlife, recreation and fire safety. 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
| Forester | Forestry and Conservation Professor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $76,400 ($36.73/hr) | $101,420 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,790 – $109,700 | $50,100 – $148,920 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.2% (slower than average) | +2.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 900 | 100 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 4-year degree | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s |
| Key credential | SAF Certified Forester | Ph.D. in forestry or ecology |
| Work setting | Foresters work outdoors in forests and in offices.. | Faculty work in classrooms, labs, forests and field stations.. |
What each job does
Forester
- Inventory forests
- Write management plans
- Plan timber sales
- Oversee harvests
- Plan reforestation
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, working independently, travel, and high-pay. They sit in different fields, agriculture, landscaping & animal care and education & childcare, but share transferable skills such as independence and leadership in the field.
Which should you choose?
Choose forester if…
- I love forests
- I like hiking
- I like science
Choose forestry and conservation professor if…
- I love forests and wildlife
- I like teaching outdoors
- I enjoy research
Still torn? Take the Forester fit quiz and the Forestry and Conservation Professor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, forester or forestry and conservation professor?
Forestry and Conservation Professors earn more at the median: $101,420 versus $76,400 for foresters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Foresters typically train faster (4-year degree) 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 +2.2% for foresters.