Forester & Conservation Scientist
Conservation scientists and foresters manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.
What the job is
- The work
- Conservation scientists and foresters manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.
BLS
Conservation Scientists and Foresters — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Work environment
- Conservation scientists and foresters work for federal, state, and local governments; on privately owned lands; or in social advocacy organizations. Most conservation scientists and foresters work full time, and schedules may vary.
BLS
Conservation Scientists and Foresters — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- Outdoor-loving students who like ecology, maps and managing forests, parks and rangelands.
- Career cluster
- Energy & Natural Resources
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (conservation scientists and foresters).
- Median pay
- $73,920 a year ($35.54 an hour)
BLS
Conservation Scientists and Foresters — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 40,900
- Typical entry
- Bachelor's degree
- Training after hire
- None
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- +4%, which BLS calls "as fast as average"
BLS
Conservation Scientists and Foresters — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- +1,700 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- Conservation scientists and foresters typically need a bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.
BLS
Conservation Scientists and Foresters — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- In short
- Conservation scientists and foresters typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources or a related subject such as agriculture or biology, with a background in GIS and remote sensing. Several states require some type of credential, and in some of them foresters must be licensed.
- License
- Some states. Several states may require some type of credentialing for conservation scientists and foresters, and in some of these states they must be licensed; check with your state licensing board.
- By state
- State rules on the roadmap
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
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StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
- AlaskaState guide
- ArizonaState guide
- ArkansasState guide
- CaliforniaState guide
- ColoradoState guide
- ConnecticutState guide
- DelawareState guide
- District of ColumbiaState guide
- FloridaState guide
- GeorgiaState guide
- HawaiiState guide
- IdahoState guide
- IllinoisState guide
- IndianaState guide
- IowaState guide
- KansasState guide
- KentuckyState guide
- LouisianaState guide
- MaineState guide
- MarylandState guide
- MassachusettsState guide
- MichiganState guide
- MinnesotaState guide
- MississippiState guide
- MissouriState guide
- MontanaState guide
- NebraskaState guide
- NevadaState guide
- New HampshireState guide
- New JerseyState guide
- New MexicoState guide
- New YorkState guide
- North CarolinaState guide
- North DakotaState guide
- OhioState guide
- OklahomaState guide
- OregonState guide
- PennsylvaniaState guide
- Rhode IslandState guide
- South CarolinaState guide
- South DakotaState guide
- TennesseeState guide
- TexasState guide
- UtahState guide
- VermontState guide
- VirginiaState guide
- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Forester or conservation scientist: bachelor's in forestry or natural resources; a license in some states
See the roadmap
Route 1: Bachelor's in forestry or natural resources
More careers in Energy & Natural Resources
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 21 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.