How to become a Forest and Conservation Technician

Official title: Forest and Conservation Technicians

Also called: Biological Science Aide, Forest Technician, Forestry Aide, Forestry Technician (Forestry Tech), Resource Technician, Timber Appraiser

Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.

Main tasks

• Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
• Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
• Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.
• Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage.
• Map forest tract data using digital mapping systems.

How to become one

Typical education to start: Associate's degree

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Forest and Conservation Specialist.
• College: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 26 universities in the US
• Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Natural Resources/Conservation, General; Environmental Science; Forestry, General

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $54,560 a year The middle half earn $47,360 to $68,600.
• About 32,800 people work in this job now, and about 32,200 are projected by 2035. (-2.1%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Related jobs

• Hydrologic Technicians
• Agricultural Technicians
• Precision Agriculture Technicians
• Food Science Technicians
• Biological Technicians
• Chemical Technicians

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Forest and Conservation Technician?

Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Associate's degree; Forest and Conservation Specialist.

How much does a Forest and Conservation Technician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $54,560 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $47,360 to $68,600.

Is a Forest and Conservation Technician a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to fall 2% by 2035, from about 32,800 to about 32,200 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Forest and Conservation Technician?

Not always. 52% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Associate's degree; Forest and Conservation Specialist.

Will AI change the work of a Forest and Conservation Technician?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.