How much does a forestry technician make?
a year · about $26 an hour
A typical forestry technician in the United States makes $54,560 a year, about $26 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Technicians may walk forest plots, measure trees, and record what they find on maps or in a computer. They may also check forest health or guide crews planting seedlings and preventing fires.
Did you know? Some U.S. forestry technicians use drones to map forests from above and monitor wildlife and forest health.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $40,330 and $83,630How do you become one?
In the U.S., a common route is to finish high school and earn a two-year associate degree in forestry or a related natural-resources field; programs often include hands-on fieldwork. Then apply for technician jobs and learn through practical training with experienced workers.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, useful skills, and extra education or certificates. It can also depend on the employer or industry, location, and the kind of work a technician does.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Alaska ($68,160), lowest in Missouri ($33,920).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,330 | $54,560 | $83,630 | about 30,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $68,160 | about 500 |
| Wisconsin | $62,700 | about 620 |
| Minnesota | $58,990 | about 580 |
| California | $58,120 | about 7,000 |
| Colorado | $57,550 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: 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. Excludes “Conservation Scientists” (19-1031) and “Foresters” (19-1032).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-4071.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2016/article/print/forestry-careers.htm
- www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/programs/education/become-a-forester
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes194071.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY