Foresters

Foresters spend their time assessing and managing wooded areas. They inventory standing timber, estimate its financial value, and negotiate purchase contracts. On the environmental side, they design plans to protect wildlife habitats, soil stability, and water quality while ensuring compliance with government regulations. They also plan tree planting, monitor forest health, and schedule harvests.

This role requires a strong realistic interest, as it involves physical outdoor activities alongside administrative tasks. Foresters must gather information, solve complex problems, and make critical decisions. They use knowledge of biology, geography, mathematics, and government laws to perform their duties. Key skills include active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and systems analysis. To succeed, these professionals must show dependability, attention to detail, cautiousness, and leadership when working with computers, scheduling activities, and communicating with team members and the public.

Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree. Most professionals also need several years of work experience in a related field before they are fully prepared for the role.

Students interested in this path generally major in forestry, natural resources conservation and research, or environmental and natural resources management and policy. For professional development, individuals can earn the Certified Forester credential through the Society of American Foresters. Additionally, some states list licensing requirements for people performing this type of work.

In 2025, the median annual pay for foresters was $76,400. This means half of the workers in this field earned more than this amount, and half earned less. Salaries typically range from below $50,790 for the lowest 10% of earners to above $109,700 for the highest 10% of earners.

There are 10,430 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 2.2%, which is as fast as the average for all jobs. About 900 job openings are expected to become available each year during this ten-year period.