Forest and Conservation Technician Salary
Forest and Conservation Technicians earn a median $54,560 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What forest and conservation technicians do
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.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -2.1% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 3,800
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of forest and conservation technicians is projected to shrink 2.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Forest and Conservation Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,367
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,383
- Medicare (1.45%)$791
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$46,019
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,330 | $19.39 | $34,585 |
| 25th percentile | $47,360 | $22.77 | $40,234 |
| Median (50th) | $54,560 | $26.23 | $46,019 |
| 75th percentile | $68,600 | $32.98 | $57,090 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,630 | $40.21 | $67,664 |
Forest and Conservation Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $68,600 | +53.1% | $57,012 | $44,950 – $71,120 | 160 |
| Alaska | $68,160 | +24.4% | $56,781 | $50,290 – $97,820 | 500 |
| Maryland | $64,980 | −3.7% | $51,669 | $46,780 – $78,540 | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $62,700 | +19.2% | $50,582 | $41,600 – $81,280 | 620 |
| Louisiana | $59,370 | +0.9% | $48,489 | $43,660 – $89,510 | 210 |
| Minnesota | $58,990 | −7.2% | $47,091 | $44,870 – $81,320 | 580 |
| California | $58,120 | −4.5% | $46,587 | $43,680 – $91,480 | 6,640 |
| New York | $58,030 | +3.0% | $46,270 | $39,040 – $78,370 | 190 |
| Colorado | $57,550 | +6.0% | $46,598 | $44,950 – $84,150 | 1,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,370 | −0.9% | $46,516 | $44,950 – $76,940 | 420 |
| Alabama | $56,720 | +4.4% | $45,184 | $41,260 – $76,160 | 180 |
| Arizona | $56,660 | +4.3% | $46,499 | $43,660 – $81,720 | 1,310 |
| Massachusetts | $56,480 | +4.7% | $44,958 | $51,730 – $72,130 | — |
| Oregon | $55,910 | +0.2% | $43,041 | $43,660 – $82,990 | 2,530 |
| South Carolina | $55,910 | +15.9% | $44,906 | $40,800 – $84,120 | 180 |
| South Dakota | $54,770 | +4.7% | $46,188 | $43,530 – $82,990 | 350 |
| West Virginia | $54,600 | +6.1% | $44,326 | $40,330 – $83,780 | 100 |
| Nevada | $54,230 | +1.6% | $45,754 | $35,930 – $89,340 | 750 |
| Vermont | $54,160 | +11.6% | $44,317 | $41,660 – $84,120 | 50 |
| Washington | $54,160 | −0.3% | $45,698 | $44,950 – $82,530 | 1,160 |
| Oklahoma | $53,930 | — | $43,631 | $38,880 – $76,400 | 130 |
| Arkansas | $53,290 | −1.9% | $43,133 | $40,330 – $80,750 | 310 |
| Idaho | $53,290 | −1.9% | $43,282 | $43,660 – $84,120 | 2,020 |
| Wyoming | $53,290 | +0.1% | $44,999 | $43,660 – $84,800 | 560 |
| New Mexico | $53,000 | — | $43,440 | $43,660 – $82,560 | 880 |
| Illinois | $52,790 | +15.8% | $42,128 | $36,950 – $74,390 | 820 |
| Florida | $52,420 | +0.2% | $44,299 | $33,760 – $80,750 | 380 |
| Mississippi | $52,420 | +1.9% | $42,935 | $39,790 – $78,500 | 250 |
| Montana | $52,420 | −3.5% | $42,592 | $41,660 – $80,540 | 1,760 |
| Texas | $52,200 | +1.2% | $44,123 | $41,780 – $66,710 | 600 |
| Iowa | $52,000 | +7.7% | $42,638 | $35,960 – $67,970 | 380 |
| Nebraska | $51,630 | −3.0% | $42,195 | $45,260 – $78,460 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $51,630 | +15.5% | $43,665 | $41,660 – $86,360 | 60 |
| Georgia | $50,710 | +3.7% | $40,916 | $36,440 – $77,540 | 230 |
| Hawaii | $50,040 | +4.7% | $40,100 | $40,800 – $73,020 | 140 |
| Virginia | $49,960 | +15.3% | $40,264 | $38,660 – $75,130 | 380 |
| Ohio | $48,840 | +7.2% | $40,862 | $37,080 – $64,860 | 230 |
| Indiana | $48,660 | — | $39,872 | $34,190 – $74,010 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $48,360 | +6.1% | $39,616 | $39,100 – $71,410 | 650 |
| Tennessee | $47,940 | +1.2% | $40,700 | $41,660 – $68,140 | 390 |
| Utah | $47,940 | +7.1% | $39,508 | $32,530 – $79,310 | 1,140 |
| Michigan | $45,760 | −14.8% | $37,254 | $35,360 – $73,630 | 560 |
| Kentucky | $43,660 | +6.7% | $35,850 | $31,770 – $70,580 | 240 |
| Kansas | $41,660 | +13.6% | $34,129 | $31,260 – $70,080 | 170 |
| Missouri | $33,920 | −27.6% | $28,778 | $31,200 – $66,080 | 600 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,090 | Associate's degree | +6.9% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,350 | Associate's degree | +3.6% |
| Food Science Technician | $52,130 | Associate's degree | +4.8% |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 | Bachelor's degree | +7.4% |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,630 | Associate's degree | +5.4% |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 | Associate's degree | +4.9% |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,990 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,280 | Associate's degree | +4.4% |
| Hydrologic Technician | $64,790 | Associate's degree | -1.3% |
| Forensic Science Technician | $72,060 | Bachelor's degree | +13.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forest and conservation technician make?
The national median salary for forest and conservation technicians is $54,560 a year ($26.23 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,330 and the top 10% earn over $83,630. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays forest and conservation technicians the most?
North Dakota has the highest median pay at $68,600.
How many forest and conservation technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 30,410 people work as forest and conservation technicians nationwide.