Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, Virginia
$55,000 / year
≈ $4,600 per month · $26.44 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Virginia · median $51,500
25th percentile
$43,000Average
$55,00075th percentile
$62,500
$43,000Average
$55,00075th percentile
$62,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Forest and Conservation Technicians salary by state
Alabama$59,500
Alaska$74,000
Arizona$62,000
Arkansas$59,000
California$66,000
Colorado$64,500
Florida$57,500
Georgia$57,000
Hawaii$54,500
Idaho$61,500
Illinois$57,000
Indiana$54,500
Iowa$54,500
Kansas$48,500
Kentucky$50,500
Louisiana$65,000
Maryland$68,500
Massachusetts$60,500
Michigan$52,500
Minnesota$63,000
Mississippi$57,500
Missouri$44,500
Montana$61,000
Nebraska$60,000
Nevada$62,500
New Hampshire$59,000
New Mexico$61,000
New York$62,000
North Carolina$53,500
North Dakota$66,000
Ohio$52,000
Oklahoma$59,500
Oregon$62,500
Pennsylvania$62,000
South Carolina$61,000
South Dakota$62,500
Tennessee$53,500
Texas$56,500
Utah$53,500
Vermont$62,500
Virginia$55,000
Washington$62,000
West Virginia$59,500
Wisconsin$62,500
Wyoming$62,000
About this role
Forest and Conservation Technicians is a professional role within the function in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Forest and Conservation Technicianss do
Typical education: High School Diploma
- Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
- Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
- Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.
- Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage.
- Map forest tract data using digital mapping systems.
Top skills: Critical Thinking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Time Management Speaking Judgment and Decision Making
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Forest and Conservation Technicians pay by experience level
Entry level$41,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$49,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$56,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$71,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$86,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-3.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
3,900
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Forest and Conservation Technicians salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
27,750 workers
$61,000Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
20,220 workers
$64,000State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
5,070 workers
$52,000Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
2,460 workers
$58,000Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
900 workers
$50,500Social Advocacy Organizations
870 workers
$50,000Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
810 workers
$56,500Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
480 workers
$58,000Utilities
390 workers
$103,500Educational Services
360 workers
$56,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Forest and Conservation Technicians pays 39% below the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Biological Technician$63,500
Food Science Technician$58,500
Chemical Technician$66,000
Agricultural Technician$55,500
Hydrologic Technician$72,000
Careers related to Forest and Conservation Technicians
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Forest and Conservation Technicians make?
The average base salary for a Forest and Conservation Technicians in the United States is $61,000 per year, or about $29.33 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $49,000 and $71,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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