How long does the training take?

Typically about two years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do forest and conservation technicians make?

The US median is $54,560 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

701 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Forest and conservation technicians: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Science · SOC 19-4071

$54,560US median pay, 2025

-2.1%Projected growth, 2025–35

3,800Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Associate's degree
Work in: forest and conservation technicians

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Environmental Science	CIP 03.0104	591
Natural Resources/Conservation, General	CIP 03.0101	121
Forestry, General	CIP 03.0501	43
Forest Technology/Technician	CIP 03.0511	28
Forestry, Other	CIP 03.0599	9
Forest Resources Production and Management	CIP 03.0510	6

See the 701 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about two years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do forest and conservation technicians make?: The US median is $54,560 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 701 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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