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The differences between conservation technicians and natural resource technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a conservation technician and a natural resource technician. Additionally, a conservation technician has an average salary of $35,950, which is higher than the $33,588 average annual salary of a natural resource technician.
The top three skills for a conservation technician include GRASS, natural resources and data entry. The most important skills for a natural resource technician are GPS, natural resources, and hand tools.
| Conservation Technician | Natural Resource Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,950 | $33,588 |
| Hourly rate | $17.28 | $16.15 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 6,640 | 19,143 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Conservation technicians are responsible for handling technical, environmental science tasks like mapping, patrolling, and measuring land to assist conservation scientists and foresters. They generally work in the wilderness but can also work on air and sea resources. These technicians keep records of public and commercial activities within their jurisdiction and train conservation workers to plant trees and maintain the ground. Their jobs include managing protection crews who work to put out forest fires, collecting water or soil samples for pollutants, and checking wildlife and vegetation for diseases.
A natural resource technician assists other environmental specialists in collecting and compiling environmental data and in using that information to assess how natural resources are impacted by bioenergy. A natural resource technician is typically supervised by a senior natural resource specialist. This position requires a bachelor's degree in environmental science. The responsibilities of this position include analyzing environmental problems, developing plans that guide policy makers, and providing data on possible outcomes of bioenergy deployment.
Conservation technicians and natural resource technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Conservation Technician | Natural Resource Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,950 | $33,588 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $46,000 | Between $26,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, DE | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Delaware State Government | Student Conservation Association |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Government |
There are a few differences between a conservation technician and a natural resource technician in terms of educational background:
| Conservation Technician | Natural Resource Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of California, Berkeley |
Here are the differences between conservation technicians' and natural resource technicians' demographics:
| Conservation Technician | Natural Resource Technician | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% | Male, 60.7% Female, 39.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.2% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |