How much does a forest and conservation technician make?
The median forest and conservation technician in the United States earns $54,560 per year, about $26.23 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all forest and conservation technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-4071.
Forest and conservation technician salary range
Pay for forest and conservation technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,330 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $83,630. The average (mean) wage of $59,060 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,330 | $19.39 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,360 | $22.77 | |
| Median (50th) | $54,560 | $26.23 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $68,600 | $32.98 | |
| 90th percentile | $83,630 | $40.21 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for forest and conservation technicians (SOC 19-4071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Forest and conservation technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Forest and conservation technicians earn the most in North Dakota at $68,600 a year, and the least in Missouri at $33,920. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $68,600 | 160 |
| Alaska | $68,160 | 500 |
| Maryland | $64,980 | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $62,700 | 620 |
| Louisiana | $59,370 | 210 |
| Minnesota | $58,990 | 580 |
| California | $58,120 | 6,640 |
| New York | $58,030 | 190 |
| Colorado | $57,550 | 1,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,370 | 420 |
| Alabama | $56,720 | 180 |
| Arizona | $56,660 | 1,310 |
| Massachusetts | $56,480 | N/A |
| Oregon | $55,910 | 2,530 |
| South Carolina | $55,910 | 180 |
| South Dakota | $54,770 | 350 |
| West Virginia | $54,600 | 100 |
| Nevada | $54,230 | 750 |
| Vermont | $54,160 | 50 |
| Washington | $54,160 | 1,160 |
| Oklahoma | $53,930 | 130 |
| Arkansas | $53,290 | 310 |
| Idaho | $53,290 | 2,020 |
| Wyoming | $53,290 | 560 |
| New Mexico | $53,000 | 880 |
| Illinois | $52,790 | 820 |
| Florida | $52,420 | 380 |
| Mississippi | $52,420 | 250 |
| Montana | $52,420 | 1,760 |
| Texas | $52,200 | 600 |
| Iowa | $52,000 | 380 |
| Nebraska | $51,630 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $51,630 | 60 |
| Georgia | $50,710 | 230 |
| Hawaii | $50,040 | 140 |
| Virginia | $49,960 | 380 |
| Ohio | $48,840 | 230 |
| Indiana | $48,660 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $48,360 | 650 |
| Tennessee | $47,940 | 390 |
| Utah | $47,940 | 1,140 |
| Michigan | $45,760 | 560 |
| Kentucky | $43,660 | 240 |
| Kansas | $41,660 | 170 |
| Missouri | $33,920 | 600 |
State median wages for forest and conservation technicians (SOC 19-4071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for forest and conservation technicians
The BLS projects employment of forest and conservation technicians to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 2.1%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 32,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,800 openings a year for forest and conservation technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a forest and conservation technician
The typical entry-level education for forest and conservation technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a forest and conservation technician earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (North Dakota, $68,600) and the lowest (Missouri, $33,920) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 30,410 people work as forest and conservation technicians in the United States. At $54,560 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Forest and conservation technician salary FAQ
How much does a forest and conservation technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a forest and conservation technician is $26.23. The middle half of forest and conservation technicians earn between $22.77 and $32.98 per hour.
What is the highest forest and conservation technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of forest and conservation technicians earn more than $83,630 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a forest and conservation technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a forest and conservation technician is $54,560. The average (mean) wage of $59,060 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a forest and conservation technician a well paid job?
At $54,560 a year, a forest and conservation technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 30,410 people work as forest and conservation technicians in the United States.
Which state pays forest and conservation technicians the most?
North Dakota has the highest median salary for forest and conservation technicians at $68,600 a year. Alaska ($68,160) and Maryland ($64,980) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a forest and conservation technician a good career?
Employment of forest and conservation technicians is projected to shrink 2.1% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a forest and conservation technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for forest and conservation technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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