How to become a Forester
Official title: Foresters
Also called: Area Forester, District Forester, Environmental Protection Forester, Fire Prevention Forester, Forest Silviculturist, Procurement Forester, Resource Forester, Service Forester, Silviculturist, Urban Forester
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
Main tasks
- Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources.
- Plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals.
- Determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage.
- Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands.
- Perform inspections of forests or forest nurseries.
- Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
- Supervise activities of other forestry workers.
- Provide advice and recommendations, as a consultant on forestry issues, to private woodlot owners, firefighters, government agencies or to companies.
How to become one
Conservation scientists and foresters typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 26 universities in the US
- College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
- Licence: A licence is required in 10 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $76,400 a year The middle half earn $62,710 to $91,640.
- About 13,200 people work in this job now, and about 13,500 are projected by 2035. (+2.2%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Forester?
Conservation scientists and foresters typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.
How much does a Forester earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $76,400 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $62,710 to $91,640.
Is a Forester a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 2% by 2035, from about 13,200 to about 13,500 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Forester?
Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Forester?
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 Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, 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.