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Forest ranger (forest and conservation worker): pay, outlook and how to start

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$43,680median pay per year, or $21.00 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $33,780lowest 10% earn less
  2. $37,44025th percentile
  3. $43,680median
  4. $45,76075th percentile
  5. $57,220top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Forest and conservation workers, the BLS category where workers report forest ranger as a job title, had a median pay of $43,680 a year in May 2025[1]. A high school diploma is the typical entry education[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-1.5%[5]
Openings per year
2,200[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[2]

How much do forest rangers and conservation workers make?

In May 2025, the median pay for Forest and Conservation Workers was $43,680 a year, or $21.00 an hour[1]. The middle worker earned that amount, with half above and half below. The average was the same, $43,680 a year or $21.00 an hour[7].

The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[4]. The median for this job is below that figure[1][4].

Annual and hourly pay by percentile:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][8] $33,780 $16.24
25th[3][8] $37,440 $18.00
50th (median)[1] $43,680 $21.00
75th[3][8] $45,760 $22.00
90th[3][8] $57,220 $27.51

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $33,780[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[10]. That matters here, because 26.7% of these workers were self-employed in 2025[11]. About 6,050 people held wage and salary jobs in May 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Idaho had the highest median annual wage at $59,460[13]. Hawaii followed at $56,330 and Virginia at $54,560[13]. Texas had the lowest among the 27 states with published data, at $30,470[13]. Several states list fewer than 100 jobs, so state medians can be shaky[13].

California has the most jobs, about 2,270[14]. South Dakota has 490 and Washington has 460[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the top median at $45,510[15]. Several California areas, including Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, were next at $43,680[15]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim had the most jobs, at 370[16].

Show median pay in 27 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Idaho[13]$59,460n/a
Hawaii$56,33060
Virginia$54,560n/a
Massachusetts$51,890120
Pennsylvania$50,250210
Ohio$48,470160
Arkansas$47,31030
Oregon$46,01070
Washington$44,430460
South Carolina$44,05040
California$43,6802,270
New Jersey$41,60040
Tennessee$40,320210
Louisiana$39,900150
Minnesota$39,59030
South Dakota$38,210490
Colorado$37,690110
Missouri$37,170120
Florida$36,78070
Wisconsin$36,420300
New Mexico$36,37030
Nevada$35,760n/a
Georgia$34,150160
Connecticut$34,01040
Iowa$33,60040
Montana$32,600n/a
Texas$30,470n/a

How to become a forest ranger or conservation worker

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent, no related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[2].

Some states may require training, and sometimes a license, for using commercial pesticides[20].

In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 44% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required, 23% said a bachelor's degree and 20% said a master's degree[21].

Useful qualities include communication, quick decisions in dangerous conditions, attention to detail, listening and physical stamina[22][23][24][25][26]. O*NET lists sample titles such as Forest Ranger, Conservation Officer and Reforestation Worker[27].

What forest and conservation workers do

O*NET describes supervised manual work to develop, maintain or protect forests, woodlands, wetlands and rangelands[28]. Tasks include:

Where they work

The work is outdoors, sometimes in remote places and in all kinds of weather. Workers may wear gear such as hardhats, safety glasses and coveralls[30]. The work is often physically demanding, and may involve long walks through dense woods with heavy equipment[31].

BLS ranks injury and illness rates for this occupation among the highest of all jobs. It can be especially dangerous for those who mainly fight fires[32].

Full-time jobs are typical, but part-time or seasonal work is common. An emergency may require extra hours at any time of day[33]. Self-employed workers were the largest group of workers, at 27%[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects Forest and Conservation Workers to fall 1.5% over 2025 to 2035, with jobs going from roughly 14,700 to 14,500[5]. Across all occupations, BLS projects 3.5% growth[35]. These counts include self-employed workers[5]. BLS lists automation of some manual tasks as a factor that reduces the number of workers needed[36].

BLS still projects about 2,200 openings a year on average[6]. These openings count jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations as well as newly created jobs[6]. Each year, 4.9% of workers leave the labor force and 10.7% move to a different occupation[37].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to an outdoor, hands-on job with a low entry bar. A high school diploma is typical, and training happens on the job[2][18]. Median pay of $43,680 is below the $50,980 all-occupations median[1][4]. The work is physically demanding and carries a high injury rate[31][32]. Employment is projected to shrink slightly, though openings continue[5][6]. A degree is typically needed to move up to technician, scientist or forester roles[19].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a forest ranger make a year?
Forest ranger is a job title in the BLS category Forest and Conservation Workers[27]. That category had a median of $43,680 a year in May 2025[1].
What education do you need to be a forest and conservation worker?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[2]. A valid driver's license is needed before starting[17].
Are forest and conservation worker jobs in demand?
Employment is projected to fall 1.5% from 2025 to 2035[5]. BLS still projects about 2,200 openings a year[6].
What is the highest paying state for forest and conservation workers?
Idaho had the highest median annual wage at $59,460[13].
How much do forest and conservation workers make an hour?
The median was $21.00 an hour in May 2025[1].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Forest and Conservation Workers in the US was $43,680 per year and $21.00 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Forest and Conservation Workers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Forest and Conservation Workers: 10th percentile $33,780, 25th percentile $37,440, 75th percentile $45,760, 90th percentile $57,220. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Forest and Conservation Workers is projected to decline 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 14,700 to 14,500 jobs (a change of -200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,200 openings for Forest and Conservation Workers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Forest and Conservation Workers was $43,680 per year and $21.00 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Forest and Conservation Workers: 10th percentile $16.24, 25th percentile $18.00, 75th percentile $22.00, 90th percentile $27.51. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 26.7% of Forest and Conservation Workers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 6,050 people were employed as Forest and Conservation Workers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Forest and Conservation Workers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Forest and Conservation Workers jobs: California 2,270; South Dakota 490; Washington 460; Wisconsin 300; Pennsylvania 210. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Forest and Conservation Workers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $45,510; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $43,680; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $43,680; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $43,680; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $43,680; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $43,680; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $39,490; Sioux Falls, SD-MN $37,470. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Forest and Conservation Workers jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 370 (median $43,680); Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA 330 (median $43,680); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 220 (median $45,510); Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA 180 (median $43,680); Sioux Falls, SD-MN 150 (median $37,470); San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 140 (median $43,680). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 45-4011.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 44%, Bachelor's Degree 23%, Master's Degree 20%, Some College Courses 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET 45-4011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Christmas Tree Farmer, Conservation Officer, Field Laborer, Forest Ranger, Forest Resource Specialist, Forestry Support Specialist, Park Maintainer, Reforestation Worker. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET description of Forest and Conservation Workers. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Forest and Conservation Workers. O*NET OnLine
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of forest and conservation workers in 2025: Self-employed workers 27%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Forest and Conservation Workers: Productivity change - share decreases as the automation of some manual labor tasks in forest and conservation work reduces the number of necessary workers. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Forest and Conservation Workers: 4.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 10.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.