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

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

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$43,680
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$21.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$57,220
entry level starts ~$33,780
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 6,000 employed

How much do Forest and Conservation Workers make?

The median pay for Forest and Conservation Workers in the United States is $43,680 per year — about $21.00 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $33,780, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $57,220.

That is $17,710 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Forest and Conservation Workers salary range by percentile

Half of all Forest and Conservation Workers earn between $37,440 and $45,760 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,780$16.24
25th percentile (early career)$37,440$18.00
50th percentile (median)$43,680$21.00
75th percentile (experienced)$45,760$22.00
90th percentile (top earners)$57,220$27.51

Highest-paying states for Forest and Conservation Workers

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Idaho leads the country for Forest and Conservation Workers pay at $59,460 a year, followed by Hawaii ($56,330) and Virginia ($54,560). At the other end, Texas posts the lowest median at $30,470 — a gap of $28,990 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1Idaho$59,460$28.59+36%
2Hawaii$56,330$27.08+29%
3Virginia$54,560$26.23+25%
4Massachusetts$51,890$24.95+19%
5Pennsylvania$50,250$24.16+15%

Workforce and education

About 6,000 people work as Forest and Conservation Workers in the United States. On qualifications: no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Forest and Conservation Workers make in the United States?
The median Forest and Conservation Workers salary in the United States is $43,680 per year, or about $21.00 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $33,780, while the top 10% of earners make $57,220 or more.
How does Forest and Conservation Workers pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Forest and Conservation Workers median of $43,680 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Forest and Conservation Workers the most?
Idaho is the highest-paying state for Forest and Conservation Workers, with a median salary of $59,460 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Forest and Conservation Workers need?
For most positions, no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Forest and Conservation Workers work in the United States?
About 6,000 people were employed as Forest and Conservation Workers 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.