Skip to main content

Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

19-1032 Foresters



Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Northwest Minnesota 8014$31.92/hr$23.93/hr$27.36/hr$30.93/hr$35.81/hr$39.66/hr
Minnesota 43032$33.94/hr$24.92/hr$29.99/hr$32.18/hr$38.88/hr$42.29/hr
U S 9,430434$34.00/hr$22.60/hr$25.82/hr$32.06/hr$39.77/hr$48.66/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Manufacturing30$41.24/hr
Education and Health Services80$29.99/hr
Public Administration320$32.55/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN N/A$34.01/hrN/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA N/AN/AN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Southwest Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Minnesota N/A$32.79/hrN/A
Rochester MN MSA 10$32.04/hrN/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA 20$24.36/hrN/A
Southeast Balance of State 20$32.18/hrN/A
Central Minnesota 20$33.74/hrN/A
Southwest Minnesota 30$32.18/hrN/A
Southeast Minnesota 30$32.18/hr5.6%
Northwest Balance of State 70$32.18/hrN/A
Northwest Minnesota 80$30.93/hr1.5%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 100$33.94/hrN/A
Northeast Balance of State 110$32.20/hrN/A
Minnesota 430$32.18/hr1.4%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 650$34.90/hr5.2%
Conservation Scientists 630$36.36/hr2.9%
Forest and Conservation Technicians 710$24.66/hr2.7%


  • Procure timber from private landowners.
  • Plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals.
  • Contact local forest owners and gain permission to take inventory of the type, amount, and location of all standing timber on the property.
  • Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
  • Supervise activities of other forestry workers.
  • Perform inspections of forests or forest nurseries.
  • Analyze effect of forest conditions on tree growth rates and tree species prevalence and the yield, duration, seed production, growth viability, and germination of different species.
  • Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources.
  • Determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage.
  • Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands.