Forest and Conservation Workers
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Under a supervisor, the job is physical work to develop, maintain, or protect forests, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands. That can mean raising and moving seedlings, planting trees, fighting insects and plant diseases, gathering products such as pine straw, and building simple structures that slow erosion or control water. Workers also check tools and equipment, cut fire breaks, clear brush, and join firefighting or prescribed burns when directed. They talk with the rest of the crew about safety and what the day's work requires. Fits those who prefer supervised physical work outdoors and coordinating with a crew on planting or fire tasks.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$43'680
Median Wage Market Position
$43'680
What you might do
- Plant seedlings and haul them to planting sites
- Fight wildfires or carry out planned burns
- Cut fire breaks and clear brush from the ground
- Build barriers that slow water and hold soil
- Treat insects, pests, and diseases that harm plants
- Check equipment and discuss safety with the crew
Skills that matter
- Confirming equipment is working properly
- Firefighting and prescribed burning
- Fire-break construction and brush disposal
- Safety talks about cutting heights
- Seedling raising and transport
- Erosion-control structure building
AI & the future of this role
Tree planting, trail work, and pest control unfold across uneven outdoor terrain where robots and remote systems remain limited. Physical labor, seasonal field judgment, and in-person stewardship of forests and wetlands are likely to keep this work comparatively stable.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details