Forest worker vs forest resource specialist

The differences between forest workers and forest resource specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a forest worker and a forest resource specialist. Additionally, a forest resource specialist has an average salary of $50,131, which is higher than the $26,509 average annual salary of a forest worker.

The top three skills for a forest worker include GIS, and . The most important skills for a forest resource specialist are management plans, GIS, and .

Forest worker vs forest resource specialist overview

	Forest Worker	Forest Resource Specialist
Yearly salary	$26,509	$50,131
Hourly rate	$12.74	$24.10
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	19,579	7,562
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

Forest worker vs forest resource specialist salary

Forest workers and forest resource specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Forest Worker	Forest Resource Specialist
Average salary	$26,509	$50,131
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $32,000	Between $32,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	Erie, PA	-
Highest paying state	Minnesota	-
Best paying company	Anthony	-
Best paying industry	Insurance	-

Differences between forest worker and forest resource specialist education

There are a few differences between a forest worker and a forest resource specialist in terms of educational background:

	Forest Worker	Forest Resource Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Business	Social Sciences
Most common college	Duke University	University of Florida

Forest worker vs forest resource specialist demographics

Here are the differences between forest workers' and forest resource specialists' demographics:

	Forest Worker	Forest Resource Specialist
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 70.5% Female, 29.5%	Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 24.2% Asian, 1.9% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.0%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 24.2% Asian, 1.9% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.0%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between forest worker and forest resource specialist duties and responsibilities

Forest worker example responsibilities.

Serve as a wild land fire fighter and/or emergency responder on a statewide basis.
Dig trenches, set ground rods and wire, minor concrete work, traffic control, set cabinets, install pipes.
Dig trenches, set ground rods and wire, minor concrete work, traffic control, set cabinets, install pipes.

Forest resource specialist example responsibilities.

Assist children on the autism spectrum academically and socially to achieve integration into a mainstream educational environment.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team regarding a new hospital initiative to identify high risk patients and ensure proper follow up post hospitalization.
Coordinate a restoration and conservation grant program locating, surveying and controlling invasive wetland species.

Forest worker vs forest resource specialist skills

Common forest worker skills

GIS, 100%

Common forest resource specialist skills

Management Plans, 57%
GIS, 43%

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Forest Worker vs Forest Resource Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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