How to become a forestry technologist or technician
Official title: Forestry technologists and technicians
Also called: Forest technician, Scaler - forestry, Timber technician, Forestry technician, Forestry technologist, Forest fire technician, Silviculture technician, Forest survey technician, Forestry crew coordinator, Silviculture technologist, Forest planning technician, Forest resource technician
Forestry technologists and technicians may work independently or perform technical and supervisory functions in support of forestry research, forest management, forest harvesting, forest resource conservation and environmental protection. They are employed by the forest industry sector, provincial and federal governments, consulting firms, and other industries and institutions, or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Conduct, supervise and participate in forest inventory cruises, surveys and field measurements following accepted scientific and operational procedures
- Assist and perform technical functions in the preparation of forest management and harvest plans using photogrammetric and mapping techniques and computerized information systems
- Assist in planning and supervise construction of access routes and forest roads
- Implement, supervise and perform technical functions in silvicultural operations involving site preparation, planting, and tending of tree crops
- Coordinate activities such as timber scaling, forest fire suppression, disease or insect control or pre-commercial thinning of forest stands
- Supervise and perform technical functions in forest harvesting operations
- Monitor activities of logging companies and contractors and enforce regulations such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety and accident prevention
- Provide forestry education, advice and recommendations to woodlot owners, community organizations and the general public
How to become one
Completion of a one- to three-year college program in forestry technology or in a renewable resource program or forest ranger program is usually required. Registration with a regulatory body is required for forestry technologists or technicians in all provinces except Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. Certification or licensing as a scaler is required for some positions. In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 57% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Forestry; Natural resources conservation and research; Environmental/natural resources management and policy.
- Licence or registration: Registration with a regulatory body is required for forestry technologists or technicians in all provinces except Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. Certification or licensing as a scaler is required for some positions. In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $64,292 a year The middle half earn $56,550 to $77,142.
- About 6,200 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 7,000 are projected by 2033. (+12.9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Biological technologists and technicians
- Agricultural and fish products inspectors
- Conservation and fishery officers
- Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
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Questions people ask
How do I become a forestry technologist or technician?
Completion of a one- to three-year college program in forestry technology or in a renewable resource program or forest ranger program is usually required. Registration with a regulatory body is required for forestry technologists or technicians in all provinces except Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. Certification or licensing as a scaler is required for some positions. In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
How much does a forestry technologist or technician earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $64,292 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $56,550 to $77,142.
Is a forestry technologist or technician a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2033, from about 6,200 to about 7,000 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a forestry technologist or technician?
Usually not. Only 19% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03