Forest and Conservation Technicians Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Forest and Conservation Technicians in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$58,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $54,560
State Rank
#7 of 45
6,640 employed here

How much do Forest and Conservation Technicians make in California?

Forest and Conservation Technicians working in California earn a median salary of $58,120 per year, or about $27.94 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $54,560 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $43,680 while the top 10% make $91,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,550 and $75,280 a year.

Forest and Conservation Technicians salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$43,680$21.00
25th percentile (early career)$48,550$23.34
50th percentile (median)$58,120$27.94
75th percentile (experienced)$75,280$36.19
90th percentile (top earners)$91,480$43.98

How California compares

California ranks 7th out of 45 states and territories for Forest and Conservation Technicians pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1North Dakota$68,600
2Alaska$68,160
3Maryland$64,980
4Wisconsin$62,700
5Louisiana$59,370

Working as Forest and Conservation Technicians in California

Nationally, about 30,000 people work as Forest and Conservation Technicians in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($58,120) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Forest and Conservation Technicians make in California?
The median Forest and Conservation Technicians salary in California is $58,120 per year, or about $27.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,680 at the entry level to $91,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Forest and Conservation Technicians about 7% more than the national median of $54,560. California ranks 7th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Forest and Conservation Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $58,120 a year. About 6,640 Forest and Conservation Technicians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Forest and Conservation Technicians salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.