Forestry Technician

Forestry Technician

Forestry technicians help sustain the conservation and ecology of a forest through a variety of jobs. They look at forest health by collecting data about wildlife populations, vegetation, and tree health. They ultimately use that info to implement forest management plans such as recreation use or timber harvesting. However, the forestry technician title can be broad according to the national forest service, so activities like being a fire lookout are also included in the role as well.

A forestry technician gets to work in a forest

$43,000 median salary

Job Training & Certifications

A Day in the Job

A day on the job for a forestry technician can look different depending on the project or the season. In most cases, a forestry technician works outdoors, collecting data. For example they might be measuring tree circumference, monitoring water quality, or taking note of the animals and vegetation that live there. This work supports tasks such as ecological restoration, logging, or fire management projects. Though a large part of the job is outdoors, forestry technicians may also have to spend time in the office organizing or communicating about data or how the forest should be managed. 

Work Takes Place

Both Indoors and Outdoors

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Science
  • Technology

Career Category

Protecting the Natural World

Potential Employers

  • Federal agencies

  • State agencies

  • Private sector: Timber companies, environmental consulting firms, forest management firms, and private landowners

A Day in the Life

Agriculture, Logging, and Forestry Industries: Self-Reported Highest Levels of Happiness and Lowest Levels of Stress

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