Forester
Also known as: forestry manager, foresters, forest manager, woodland manager
About this occupation
Foresters are responsible for monitoring the natural and economic viability of a woodland or forest and for activities related to its management and conservation.
Essential skills and knowledge
- environmental legislation
- manage forests
- organise tree plantations
- health and safety regulations
- organise labour
- environmental policy
- pest control in plants
- forestry regulations
- agronomy
- monitor forest productivity
- plant disease control
- animal welfare legislation
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Foresters (O*NET 19-1032.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources.
- Plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals.
- 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.
- Perform inspections of forests or forest nurseries.
- Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$76,400 a year (2025), 10,430 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.1)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyVery important (3.9)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyVery important (3.6)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.5)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.3)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Conservation Scientists
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Industrial Ecologists
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.