To become a forester you typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources or a related subject such as agriculture or biology. In the US, state government is the biggest employer of foresters. In the UK you can also qualify through the Professional Forester Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, which takes around 3 years.
Foresters manage woodland for timber, wildlife, recreation and fire safety. It's a mix of fieldwork and planning: one day you're measuring trees in a remote plantation, the next you're writing a management plan in an office. If you want an outdoor science career, this is one of the few where both halves come with the job.
I've built this guide from two official sources read as of October 2026: the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for conservation scientists and foresters, and the National Careers Service profile for professional foresters.
Forester jobs and pay at a glance
| Measure | Foresters (BLS) | Conservation scientists (BLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs in 2025 | 13,200 | 27,700 |
| Median annual wage (May 2025) | $76,400 | $73,010 |
| Largest employer | State government, 28% of jobs | Federal government, 27% of jobs |
Those figures are as of October 2026. BLS projects the combined group to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average, with about 3,000 openings a year across conservation scientists and foresters. Foresters on their own are a smaller field, projected to add about 300 jobs over the decade.
Getting a forestry job in the US
- Choose the right degree. BLS says a bachelor's in forestry, natural resources or a related subject such as agriculture or biology is the typical entry requirement.
- Get field experience. Summer work with a state forestry agency or a timber company shows employers you can handle remote sites and long days.
- Look at public sector jobs first. State government is the largest employer, with federal and local government, forestry support services and logging firms also hiring.
- Consider certification. Some foresters earn optional certification related to their area of work. BLS points to CareerOneStop for the options.
Qualifying as a forester in the UK
The National Careers Service lists three ways to become a professional forester:
- A degree or postgraduate course in a relevant subject.
- The Professional Forester Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship. It takes around 3 years and combines on-the-job training with study. You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent.
- Working up from the field. You could start as a forest works supervisor or manager and become a professional forester through on-the-job training and promotion.
Practical experience helps a lot. The National Careers Service mentions a free virtual work experience programme for students, and volunteering with conservation organisations. You could also join the Institute of Chartered Foresters for professional development and contacts.
Forester pay by employer
Pay doesn't swing much between public employers. These are BLS May 2025 medians for foresters, as of October 2026:
| Employer | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Federal government | $76,400 |
| Local government | $75,040 |
| State government | $69,620 |
Federal conservation scientists do better still, with a median of $88,610, so it's worth looking at both job titles when you search.
Days in the woods and the office
BLS says the job takes you between offices, laboratories and the outdoors, sometimes to remote locations. Near logging operations you'll wear a hardhat and protective gear, and fire prevention and emergency response can be part of the role. Insect bites and poisonous plants come with the territory.
Most foresters work full time, and some put in more than 40 hours a week when they're travelling to remote sites. In the UK, the National Careers Service says you'd split your time between office work and visiting forest sites, often with a company vehicle, in community forests near towns or in more remote plantations and National Parks.
Forester or conservation scientist?
BLS groups the two jobs together, and the line between them is blurry. Foresters lean towards managing woodland for timber, recreation and fire safety. Conservation scientists look after land and soil more broadly, and they're a bigger group: 27,700 jobs against 13,200 for foresters. Federal government employs 27% of conservation scientists, with local government, social advocacy organisations and state government also hiring.
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The degrees overlap too, so you don't have to choose on day one. A forestry or natural resources degree opens both doors, and searching both job titles roughly doubles the vacancies you'll see. In the UK, Lantra and the Royal Forestry Society's careers advice service are good places to compare the options.
Skills that help
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions on site
- monitoring your own work and the work of contractors or colleagues
- confidence with computers and the main software packages
- comfort with long days outdoors in all kinds of weather
Trees, parks and wildlife
If you'd rather care for individual trees than whole forests, read my guide on how to become an arborist. If it's protected land and visitors that appeal, how to become a park ranger is the closest public sector cousin.
My verdict
Forestry is a small field, but it's stable and it pays well for an outdoor career. In the US, the bachelor's degree is the key, and state forestry agencies are the biggest door in. In the UK, the Level 6 apprenticeship lets you qualify in around 3 years without student debt, and that's a strong option if you can find a place.
Frequently asked questions
What degree do you need to be a forester?
BLS says foresters typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources or a related subject such as agriculture or biology.
How much do foresters make?
BLS lists a median annual wage of $76,400 for foresters in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Can you become a forester through an apprenticeship?
In the UK, yes. The National Careers Service lists a Professional Forester Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship that takes around 3 years.
Who employs the most foresters?
State government. BLS says it employed 28% of US foresters in 2025.
Is forestry a growing career?
Steadily rather than fast. BLS projects conservation scientists and foresters together to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 3,000 openings a year.
Do foresters work outdoors all the time?
No. BLS says they work in offices, laboratories and outdoors, and the National Careers Service describes a split between office work and visits to forest sites.
