Science
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.
Median pay
$76,400
Growth to 2035
+2%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
900
Time to qualify*
Minimal
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Forester
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Forester: 63% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Area Forester · District Forester · Environmental Protection Forester · Fire Prevention Forester · Forest Silviculturist · Procurement Forester · Resource Forester · Service Forester
Outlook and AI
Foresters held 13,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 13,500 by 2035 (+2%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Forester vs. Forest and conservation technicians
- Forester vs. Conservation scientist
- Forester vs. Forest and conservation workers
- Forester vs. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
- Forester vs. Soil and plant scientists
- Forester vs. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
- Forester vs. Managers, all other