Forestry

Your career in forestry begins outdoors, often as a forest and conservation technician. You’ll spend your days in the field, navigating terrain with a GPS, measuring tree growth with calipers, and marking timber for management or sale. It’s physical work in all weather, providing the essential data that keeps our forests healthy and productive.

As you gain experience, you can advance to a Forester or Conservation Scientist role. Here, your focus shifts to planning and analysis. You'll use the data you once collected to create sustainable harvest schedules, design reforestation projects using GIS software, and manage ecosystems for wildlife and recreation. With seniority, you can become a First-line Supervisor, leading a crew of technicians, or a specialist in areas like fire management or urban forestry.

Starting salaries are typically in the $40,000s to low $50,000s, but as you move into forester and scientist roles, earnings can grow into the $70,000s and beyond. AI tools may assist with data analysis and mapping, but the core work of assessing forests on-site and making hands-on management decisions remains fundamentally human.