Forest and Conservation Technicians Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Forest and Conservation Technicians — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$54,560
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$26.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$83,630
entry level starts ~$40,330
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 30,000 employed

How much do Forest and Conservation Technicians make?

The median pay for Forest and Conservation Technicians in the United States is $54,560 per year — about $26.23 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $40,330, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $83,630.

That is $6,830 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Forest and Conservation Technicians salary range by percentile

Half of all Forest and Conservation Technicians earn between $47,360 and $68,600 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$40,330$19.39
25th percentile (early career)$47,360$22.77
50th percentile (median)$54,560$26.23
75th percentile (experienced)$68,600$32.98
90th percentile (top earners)$83,630$40.21

Highest-paying states for Forest and Conservation Technicians

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. North Dakota leads the country for Forest and Conservation Technicians pay at $68,600 a year, followed by Alaska ($68,160) and Maryland ($64,980). At the other end, Missouri posts the lowest median at $33,920 — a gap of $34,680 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1North Dakota$68,600$32.98+26%
2Alaska$68,160$32.77+25%
3Maryland$64,980$31.24+19%
4Wisconsin$62,700$30.14+15%
5Louisiana$59,370$28.54+9%

Workforce and education

About 30,000 people work as Forest and Conservation Technicians in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $59,060 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Forest and Conservation Technicians make in the United States?
The median Forest and Conservation Technicians salary in the United States is $54,560 per year, or about $26.23 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,330, while the top 10% of earners make $83,630 or more.
How does Forest and Conservation Technicians pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Forest and Conservation Technicians median of $54,560 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Forest and Conservation Technicians the most?
North Dakota is the highest-paying state for Forest and Conservation Technicians, with a median salary of $68,600 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Forest and Conservation Technicians need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Forest and Conservation Technicians work in the United States?
About 30,000 people were employed as Forest and Conservation Technicians in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.