6 templates covering the different forester roles, from consulting and procurement to urban, technician, forest manager, and conservation, each with a salary band and the licensing guidance generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
The hardest part of writing a forester job description is that forester is a precise, often regulated title that covers several different jobs. A consulting forester managing private timberland, a procurement forester sourcing wood for a mill, and an urban forester running a city's tree canopy share a profession and a degree, but little of the day-to-day work. And in some states, the title is protected by law, so getting the licensing requirement right matters as much as getting the duties right.
At FirstHR, we build templates that name the real role rather than a generic one, which here means leading with the private and local versions a small firm actually hires for. The six templates below cover the family: consulting, procurement, urban, forestry technician, forest manager, and conservation forester. Each carries a salary band and a note on degrees and licensing, the part competing templates skip. Fill in the brackets and post, and the guide to writing a job description covers the fundamentals.
TL;DR
Six forester job description templates, because forester covers several distinct roles: Consulting, Procurement, Urban, Forestry Technician, Forest Manager, and Conservation. A forester is a degreed professional (typically a bachelor's in forestry), and some states, including California and Maine, license the title. The median wage is about $70,660. Most foresters work for government or large employers; small firms mainly hire consulting and procurement foresters. Download as DOCX.
What a Forester Is
A forester is a degreed professional who manages forestland and the resources on it. This sets the role apart from the forest and conservation workers who do the physical field labor, and from the forestry technicians who support foresters with field data. A forester plans, oversees, and takes professional responsibility for how forestland is managed.
In federal data, the role is foresters (19-1032), who manage forestland for economic, ecological, and recreational purposes. Because the profession is specialized and, in some states, licensed, the most important step in writing the posting is naming the specific forester type and getting the credential requirement right. For roles in the broader environmental field, the environmental scientist and environmental engineer templates may fit related needs.
What Does a Forester Do?
At the core, a forester develops and carries out plans for managing forestland, then oversees the work and ensures it meets objectives and regulations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes foresters as overseeing forestland, managing budgets, creating plans for forestry projects, and supervising forest and conservation technicians and workers.
What that looks like depends on the employer. A consulting forester manages land and timber sales for private clients. A procurement forester appraises and buys timber for a mill. An urban forester cares for a city's trees. A conservation forester balances timber with habitat, water, and recreation. The shared thread is professional forest management, which is why the templates differ by setting while sharing a common structure.
Forester Duties and Responsibilities
Across types, forester duties cluster into inventory and measurement, planning and silviculture, compliance and stewardship, and operations and people. What changes is the emphasis: timber sales for a consulting forester, the public canopy for an urban forester, ecological goals for a conservation forester. These are the categories the templates use.
Inventory and measurement
Cruise, measure, and inventory timber
Run stand exams and collect field data
Maintain GIS maps and forest records
Planning and silviculture
Prepare forest management plans
Lay out harvests, plantings, and treatments
Advise on reforestation and stand health
Compliance and stewardship
Follow state forest practice rules
Balance timber, habitat, and water values
Document plans and regulatory filings
Operations and people
Coordinate crews and contractors
Manage timber sales and contracts
Work with landowners, clients, and agencies
A strong posting grounds these in the specific role rather than listing every possible forestry task. For a structured way to scope any role before posting, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by the type of forester you are hiring, which matters more here than for most roles because the settings diverge so sharply and the licensing expectations differ. The matched version carries the right duties, credentials, and framing, and saves you from reshaping a government or industrial posting into a consulting or urban role. Use this guide to choose.
Consulting Forester
Private landowner work
For a consulting or forestry firm: managing client forestland, timber sales, and stewardship plans. The most common small-firm forester role.
Procurement / Industrial
Mills and forest products
For a mill or forest products company: sourcing timber, appraising stumpage, and managing supplier and landowner relationships.
Urban / Community
Cities and nonprofits
For a city, parks department, or nonprofit: managing the public tree canopy, plantings, hazard trees, and community programs.
Forestry Technician
Field support, often hourly
The entry-level field role supporting foresters with measurements, cruising, and crew work. Often seasonal and non-exempt.
Forest Manager
Oversees land and team
For overseeing forestland and the foresters and technicians who work it: plans, budgets, supervision, and compliance.
Conservation / Agency
Stewardship goals
For an agency, land trust, or conservation nonprofit: managing forestland for habitat, water, and ecological objectives.
Match the Template to the Employer
Consulting or forestry firm serving private landowners: Consulting Forester. Mill or forest products company sourcing wood: Procurement Forester. City, parks department, or nonprofit managing trees: Urban Forester. Entry-level field support: Forestry Technician. Overseeing land and a team: Forest Manager. Land trust or agency with stewardship goals: Conservation Forester. Each states the education and licensing expectation, which differs by role and state.
6 Forester Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: employer overview, job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications with the credential expectation, compensation, and how to apply. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
Consulting, procurement, urban, technician, forest manager, and conservation forester. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Consulting Forester
For a consulting or forestry firm managing client forestland: management plans, timber sales, and stewardship for private landowners. The most common forester role at a small firm.
Consulting Forester Job Description
CONSULTING FORESTER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([consulting / forestry firm])
Location: __
Reports to: __ (Principal / Senior Forester)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ field/vehicle allowance]
ABOUT [FIRM NAME]
[One or two sentences about your firm and the clients you serve: private
landowners, timber investors, conservation groups. Note the territory and
field-travel expectations.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Firm Name] is hiring a Consulting Forester to manage forestland for our
clients, prepare and carry out forest management plans, and advise landowners on
timber sales, reforestation, and stewardship. You will spend significant time in
the field, cruise and inventory timber, and represent the firm with clients and
agencies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Prepare and implement forest management and stewardship plans
•Cruise, measure, and inventory timber stands
•Advise clients on timber sales, harvest, and reforestation
•Mark timber and lay out harvest units and roads
•Ensure work complies with state forest practice rules
•Maintain GIS maps and forest records
•Build and manage client relationships
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in forestry or natural resources [SAF-accredited preferred]
•State forester license or registration where required (e.g. CA, ME, SC)
•Knowledge of timber cruising, silviculture, and forest measurements
•GIS and forestry software experience
•Valid driver's license; able to work in the field and rough terrain
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
Benefits: [health, vehicle, CFE support: __]
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Firm Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Procurement / Industrial Forester
For a mill or forest products company: sourcing timber, appraising stumpage, negotiating purchases, and managing supplier and landowner relationships for a steady wood supply.
Procurement / Industrial Forester Job Description
PROCUREMENT / INDUSTRIAL FORESTER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([mill / forest products company])
Location: __
Reports to: __ (Procurement / Woodlands Manager)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ mileage / vehicle]
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Procurement Forester to source timber for our
operation, negotiate timber purchases, and manage supplier and landowner
relationships. You will appraise standing timber, negotiate stumpage, and ensure
a steady, compliant wood supply for the mill or yard.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Source and purchase timber from landowners and dealers
•Appraise standing timber and negotiate stumpage prices
•Manage timber contracts and landowner relationships
•Coordinate harvest, logging crews, and wood delivery
•Ensure compliance with state forest practice and BMP rules
•Track wood supply, volumes, and costs
•Maintain maps, records, and supplier accounts
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in forestry or natural resources
•State forester license where required
•Timber appraisal, cruising, and negotiation skills
•Knowledge of harvesting, logging, and wood markets
•Valid driver's license; extensive field travel
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
Benefits: [health, vehicle, bonus: __]
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
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For a city, parks department, or nonprofit: managing the public tree canopy, plantings, hazard trees, ordinances, and community programs. Often pairs with an ISA arborist credential.
Urban / Community Forester Job Description
URBAN / COMMUNITY FORESTER JOB DESCRIPTION
Organization: __ ([city / nonprofit / parks])
Location: __
Reports to: __ (Parks / Public Works Director)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
Compensation: $_____ per year
JOB SUMMARY
[Organization Name] is hiring an Urban Forester to manage and grow the community
tree canopy. You will inventory and care for public trees, plan plantings,
oversee tree maintenance and removals, and engage the public on the value of
urban trees. The role blends forestry, planning, and community work.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Manage the public tree inventory and urban canopy
•Plan and oversee tree planting, pruning, and removals
•Inspect tree health and assess hazards and risk
•Coordinate contractors and tree crews
•Develop and enforce tree ordinances and standards
•Apply for and manage urban forestry grants
•Engage residents and community groups on tree programs
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in forestry, urban forestry, or related field
•ISA Certified Arborist or SAF credential a plus
•Knowledge of tree care, species selection, and hazard assessment
•Comfort with the public, grants, and local government
•Valid driver's license; fieldwork in all weather
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
Benefits: [health, retirement, CEU support: __]
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Organization Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 4: Forestry Technician
The entry-level field role supporting foresters with measurements, cruising, and crew work. Often seasonal and non-exempt, and a strong starting point in a forestry career.
Forestry Technician Job Description
FORESTRY TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: [Forester / Crew Lead]
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Seasonal
FLSA status: [Often non-exempt; confirm by duties]
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour [or per year]
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Forestry Technician to support our foresters with
field data and forest operations. Under the direction of a forester, you will
collect forest measurements, assist with timber cruising, and help with
planting, marking, and fieldwork. This is a hands-on, outdoor role and a strong
entry point into a forestry career.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Collect forest measurements and inventory data
•Assist with timber cruising and stand exams
•Mark trees, lay out plots, and flag boundaries
•Support planting, thinning, and treatment crews
•Record data and maintain field equipment
•Assist with GPS, GIS, and mapping fieldwork
•Follow safety procedures on the job
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Associate degree in forest technology or related field, or experience
•Comfort with forest measurements and field tools
•Physically able to hike rough terrain and work outdoors
•Basic GPS and data-collection skills
•Valid driver's license; available for [seasonal / field] work
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour [or per year]
FLSA note: Technician fieldwork is often non-exempt and overtime-eligible.
Confirm classification by the actual duties.
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
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For overseeing forestland and the foresters and technicians who work it: long-term plans, budgets, supervision, timber sales, and regulatory compliance.
Forest Manager Job Description
FOREST MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: __ (Owner / Woodlands Director)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Forest Manager to oversee the management of our
forestland and the team that works it. You will set and carry out management
plans, manage budgets, supervise foresters and technicians, and ensure
operations meet objectives and comply with regulations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Develop and implement long-term forest management plans
•Manage budgets, schedules, and forestland operations
•Supervise foresters, technicians, and field crews
•Oversee timber sales, harvest, and reforestation
•Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations
•Track inventory, growth, and forest health
•Report results to ownership or leadership
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in forestry or natural resources
•State forester license where required
•Several years of forestry experience, including supervision
•Strong planning, budgeting, and management skills
•Valid driver's license; field and office work
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
Benefits: [health, retirement, vehicle: __]
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 6: Conservation / Agency Forester
For a land trust, agency, or conservation nonprofit: managing forestland for habitat, water, and ecological goals, balancing timber with stewardship objectives and grants.
Conservation / Agency Forester Job Description
CONSERVATION / AGENCY FORESTER JOB DESCRIPTION
Organization: __ ([agency / nonprofit / land trust])
Location: __
Reports to: __ (Program / Stewardship Director)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
Compensation: $_____ per year
JOB SUMMARY
[Organization Name] is hiring a Conservation Forester to manage forestland for
ecological and stewardship goals. You will develop and carry out management and
restoration plans, balance timber, habitat, water, and recreation values, and
work with landowners, partners, and the public on conservation outcomes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Develop forest management and restoration plans
•Balance timber, habitat, water, and recreation objectives
•Oversee stewardship projects and prescribed treatments
•Monitor forest health and ecological condition
•Work with landowners, partners, and agencies
•Apply for and manage grants and cost-share programs
•Maintain GIS data and project records
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or related field
•State forester license or SAF credential where relevant
•Knowledge of silviculture, ecology, and stewardship
•Grant-writing and partnership experience a plus
•Valid driver's license; fieldwork in varied terrain
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
Benefits: [health, retirement, CFE support: __]
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Organization Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Degrees, Licensing, and Credentials
This is the part generic templates skip, and for the forester title it matters more than usual, because the role is a degreed profession and in some states a licensed one. Getting the credential requirement right keeps your posting accurate and your candidates qualified.
A forester is a degreed professional, not a general laborer
The single most important thing to get right is that a forester is a college-educated professional, distinct from the forest and conservation workers who do the physical field labor. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is explicit that foresters typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field. They oversee forestland, manage budgets, create management plans, and supervise technicians and crews. If your posting describes hands-on planting or thinning labor rather than professional forest management, you are likely hiring a forestry technician or a forest worker, not a forester, and the title, pay, and requirements should change accordingly. Name the real role before you post. This is general information, not legal advice.
Some states license foresters, and the title is protected there
Several states regulate who may practice forestry or use the title forester. California requires a Registered Professional Forester license under its Professional Foresters Law for most forest management work, including management plans and timber sales, and Maine, South Carolina, and others maintain forester licensing boards. In those states, the role legally requires a license, and your job description should state it as a requirement, not a preference. Other states do not license foresters at all. Confirm what your state requires before you post, since hiring for licensed work without the credential creates a real problem. This is general information, not legal advice.
Most foresters work for government or large employers
Foresters are a small, specialized profession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted about 13,800 forester jobs in 2024, and a large share work for federal, state, and local government agencies or for large forest products companies. The private small-business cohort that hires a salaried forester is mainly consulting and forestry firms, which is why this page leads with the consulting and procurement versions. Smaller landowners who need forestry help usually hire a consulting forester on contract rather than employing one. Know which situation you are in: hiring an employee, or engaging a consultant. This is general information, not legal advice.
SAF accreditation and credentials signal a qualified candidate
The Society of American Foresters accredits forestry degree programs and offers the national Certified Forester credential, and several states accept parts of the SAF program toward licensure. When screening candidates, a degree from an SAF-accredited program, the Certified Forester credential, or a relevant state license are strong signals of a qualified professional. For an urban forester, an ISA Certified Arborist credential is often more relevant than a traditional forestry license. Match the credential you ask for to the specific role rather than listing every possible certification. This is general information, not legal advice.
A Degreed Profession, Licensed in Some States
Foresters typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry or natural resources (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Several states license the profession: California requires a Registered Professional Forester license for most forest management work, and Maine, South Carolina, and others maintain licensing boards. The Society of American Foresters offers the national Certified Forester credential and accredits forestry degree programs.
Because the requirement varies so much by state and role, decide before you post whether your state licenses foresters, whether the specific work requires a license, and which credentials you will require versus prefer. State this clearly in the posting, since it is one of the most consequential and most often mislabeled parts of a forester job description.
Skills and Requirements
Forester requirements depend on the type, from a forestry degree and state license for a consulting forester to field skills and an associate degree for a technician, so state the ones that actually match the role rather than a generic professional list.
Forester type
Core requirements to state
Consulting
Forestry degree, state license where required, cruising and client skills
Procurement
Forestry degree, timber appraisal and negotiation, wood market knowledge
Urban
Forestry or urban forestry degree, ISA arborist credential a plus, public-facing skills
Forestry technician
Associate degree or field experience, measurements, physical fieldwork
Forest manager / conservation
Forestry degree, license where relevant, planning, budgeting, supervision
Keep every line job-related and the posting neutral, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Forester Salary
Forester pay varies by employer, region, and experience, so set your range using government data as a baseline and adjust for the specific role and your market.
Median $70,660 (BLS, May 2024)
Foresters had a median annual wage of $70,660 as of May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent under $49,240 and the highest 10 percent over $103,220 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The occupation held about 13,800 jobs in 2024. Forest and conservation workers, who do the physical labor, earn a median near $43,680.
Pay tends to run higher in government and large industry roles and for licensed, experienced foresters, and lower for entry-level positions and technician roles. Benchmark to the specific forester type and your region rather than a blended figure, and post a range where pay transparency rules apply. This is general information, not legal advice.
Hiring a Forester at a Small Firm
For a small business, hiring a forester usually means a consulting firm, a regional mill, a land trust, or a local government bringing on a professional, with the owner or a program director running the hire. The reality at that scale is different from staffing a federal agency or a large timber company, and the posting should reflect it. Here is how to write it for a small-firm reality. The broader steps are covered in the small business hiring guide.
Most forester templates are written for a government agency or a large timber company
The forester job descriptions you find online are usually framed around state and national forests, federal agencies, or large industrial timber operations, because that is where most foresters work. A small consulting firm, a regional mill, a land trust, or a city parks department hires a forester into a very different setting, with the owner or a program director writing the posting rather than a government HR office. The templates here lead with those private and local versions, so you can pick one that matches your firm rather than editing an agency posting down to size. Name your actual setting and the specific forester type up front.
The licensing and credential question is the part that trips up small employers
Because some states license foresters and the title is protected there, a small firm can post a role without realizing the work legally requires a Registered Professional Forester or equivalent. Decide before you post whether your state licenses foresters, whether the specific work (management plans, timber sales) requires a license, and which credentials, such as an SAF-accredited degree, the Certified Forester credential, or a state license, you will require versus prefer. Getting this right up front keeps your posting accurate and your candidates qualified, and it matters more for this profession than for most. This is general information, not legal advice.
Whichever forester you hire, onboarding is the part a small firm handles itself
A small consulting firm, mill, or conservation organization typically has the owner, a principal, or a program director handling hiring and onboarding directly. Once someone accepts, the work is ordinary people operations made specific by the profession: a signed offer, Form I-9 and tax forms, policy and safety acknowledgments, and a structured first week, plus verifying any required license or credential. FirstHR fits that people side: e-signature for the offer and acknowledgments, document management for signed forms and credential records, task workflows for the onboarding checklist, and training modules for safety and role training. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a forestry, GIS, or land-management system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those providers. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, send the offer letter, complete Form I-9 and tax forms, verify any required state license or SAF-accredited credential, and set the forester up with the field, GIS, and safety orientation the role needs. For a profession where a credential can be a legal requirement, confirming it before the first day matters.
Send the offer
Confirm the role, pay, and start date in writing. An offer letter template makes this fast for a professional forestry hire.
Verify the credential
Confirm any required state forester license, SAF-accredited degree, or certification before the first day, and keep a copy on file.
Run a structured first week
Field orientation, GIS and software access, safety training, and the territory or client handoff the role depends on.
Store the records
Keep the signed offer, license or credential records, and acknowledgments organized from the forester's first day.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives the new forester a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer with e-signature, document management for signed forms and credential records, training modules for safety and role training, and the onboarding task workflow in one place, so a small firm, mill, or conservation organization can take a new forester from accepted offer to productive. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a forestry, GIS, or land-management tool, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
Forester is not one job: consulting, procurement, urban, technician, forest manager, and conservation foresters differ in setting, duties, and pay.
A forester is a degreed professional, typically with a bachelor's in forestry, distinct from forestry technicians and forest workers.
Some states license the title: California requires a Registered Professional Forester, and Maine, South Carolina, and others maintain licensing boards.
Most foresters work for government or large employers; small firms mainly hire consulting and procurement foresters.
Use BLS as an anchor: foresters earned a median of $70,660 in May 2024, with the occupation holding about 13,800 jobs.
Get the type and the licensing requirement right before you post, since both are easy to mislabel and matter for this profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a forester do?
A forester manages forestland and the resources on it. Day to day, that means preparing and carrying out forest management plans, cruising and inventorying timber, advising on timber sales and reforestation, laying out harvests, and ensuring work complies with forest practice rules. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that foresters oversee forestland, manage budgets, create plans for forestry projects, and supervise forest and conservation technicians and workers. What the work looks like depends on the employer: a consulting forester manages land for private clients, a procurement forester sources timber for a mill, an urban forester manages a city's tree canopy, and a conservation forester balances timber with habitat and water goals. The common thread is professional forest management, not physical field labor.
What qualifications does a forester need?
A forester typically needs a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ideally from a program accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Beyond the degree, several states require a license to practice forestry or use the title forester. California requires a Registered Professional Forester license for most forest management work, and Maine, South Carolina, and others maintain forester licensing boards, while many states do not license foresters at all. The national Certified Forester credential from the Society of American Foresters is a recognized professional standard. For an urban forester, an ISA Certified Arborist credential is often more relevant. Match the required credential to the role and your state. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between a forester and a forestry technician?
A forester is a degreed professional who manages forestland, prepares management plans, and supervises field staff, typically holding a bachelor's degree in forestry and, in some states, a license. A forestry technician supports foresters with field data and operations: collecting measurements, assisting with timber cruising, marking trees, and helping field crews, usually with an associate degree or field experience. The technician role is more hands-on and field-based, often seasonal and paid hourly, while the forester role is professional and carries planning, budgeting, and supervisory responsibility. When you write the posting, decide which you actually need, since the title, pay, education requirement, and licensing expectation all differ between the two. Mislabeling the role attracts the wrong candidates.
Do you need a license to be a forester?
It depends on the state. Some states regulate the practice of forestry and protect the title forester, while others do not license foresters at all. California requires a Registered Professional Forester license under its Professional Foresters Law for most forest management work, including management plans and timber sales, and Maine, South Carolina, and several other states maintain forester licensing boards with their own examination and experience requirements. In those states, the role legally requires a license and your job description should state it as a requirement. The national Certified Forester credential from the Society of American Foresters is separate from a state license and does not replace one. Confirm your state's specific rules before posting. This is general information, not legal advice.
Who hires foresters?
Most foresters work for government agencies or large employers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted about 13,800 forester jobs in 2024, and a large share are with federal agencies like the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, state forestry and natural-resource departments, and local governments, along with large forest products companies. The private small-business cohort that employs a salaried forester is mainly consulting and forestry firms, regional mills, land trusts, and conservation nonprofits. Smaller landowners who need forestry help usually hire a consulting forester on contract rather than employing one full time. If you are a small firm hiring a forester, the consulting and procurement versions of the role are the most common fit. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a forester make?
Forester pay varies by employer, region, and experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for foresters was $70,660 as of May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent earning under $49,240 and the highest 10 percent over $103,220. Pay tends to run higher in government and large industry roles and for licensed, experienced foresters, and lower for entry-level positions. Forestry technicians, a separate and more field-based role, earn less, and forest and conservation workers, who do the physical labor, earn less still, with a median around $43,680. Benchmark your range to the specific forester role, your region, and the credentials you require, and post a range where pay transparency rules apply. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should a forester job description include?
A strong forester job description names the specific type up front, since consulting, procurement, urban, forest manager, and conservation foresters are meaningfully different jobs, then includes a short employer summary, a job summary that makes the focus clear, and responsibilities grouped into inventory and measurement, planning and silviculture, compliance and stewardship, and operations and people. It should state the education requirement (typically a bachelor's degree in forestry), any required state license or credential, and the field and travel expectations the role carries. Add a realistic salary range for the type and your market, an equal opportunity statement, and clear apply instructions. The most valuable thing you can do is get the type and the licensing requirement right, since both are easy to mislabel. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is a forester the same as an arborist?
No. A forester manages forestland and forest resources at the stand or landscape scale, working on timber, management plans, and broad forest health, typically with a forestry degree and, in some states, a license. An arborist focuses on the care of individual trees, often in urban or residential settings, and is usually credentialed through the International Society of Arboriculture rather than a forestry license. The roles overlap most in urban forestry, where a community forester may hold an ISA Certified Arborist credential and manage a city's individual trees. If your need is the care of specific trees on a property or in a city rather than the management of forestland, the role you are hiring is likely an arborist, and the credential to ask for is ISA certification. This is general information, not legal advice.
