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Job outlook for forester aides in the United States
Are forester aide jobs in demand?
Forester aide job and salary trends over time
Forester aide jobs over time
Forester aide job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 225 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 221 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 225 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 199 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 196 | 0.00% |
Average forester aide salary over time
Forester aide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,465 | $24.74 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $49,704 | $23.90 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | $49,398 | $23.75 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $48,360 | $23.25 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $47,218 | $22.70 | +0.8% |
Forester aide jobs by state
Most common states for forester aides
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 134 | 13% |
| 2 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 783 | 12% |
| 3 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 304 | 10% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 303 | 10% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 511 | 9% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 177 | 9% |
| 7 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 775 | 8% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 113 | 8% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 62 | 8% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 942 | 7% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 601 | 7% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 475 | 7% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 398 | 7% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 53 | 7% |
| 15 | Vermont | 623,657 | 42 | 7% |
| 16 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,103 | 6% |
| 17 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 114 | 6% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 74 | 6% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 65 | 6% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 55 | 6% |
Forester Aide job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of forester aide experts
Oregon State University
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
University of Minnesota
Clemson University
What skills stand out on Forester Aide resumes?
John Bailey: Prior work experience is important on the resume, including how it complements the education (e.g., summer fire fighting and prescribed burning experience together with the Forestry - Restoration and Fire option); good grades are important in the upper-division forestry classes to demonstrate their content knowledge, work ethic and ability to critically think and communicate.
Paul Doruska
Professor of Forest Measurements & Forestry Discipline CoordinatorUniversity of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
College of Natural Resources
What skills will help Forester Aides earn the most?
Paul Doruska: Stated simply - "want to," desire and drive! In my view, a Bachelor's degree shows folks you are committed to learning and committed to Forestry - where one takes it from there depends on the individual person first and foremost.
Marcella Windmuller-Campione Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Minnesota
Department of Forest Resources
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Forester Aide job market given the pandemic?
Marcella Windmuller-Campione Ph.D.: During the pandemic, some folks have really connected back to their local environments - parks, natural areas, and multiple forms of recreation. It has put a spotlight on how important nature is and I think there is interest in ensuring forests are and will continue to be forests. We may see more individuals entering school for degrees in forestry and environmental science. In terms of the job market, that may be variable. Some forest products have been critical during the pandemic (and will continue after) and that requires sound management. However, governmental budgets may be tighter.
What technical skills for a Forester Aide stand out to employers?
Patrick Hiesl Ph.D.: The one skill that repeatedly is asked for by employers is a working knowledge of spreadsheets, and in many cases the use of pivot tables. Forestry includes a lot of number crunching and spreadsheets really help to organize and streamline that process. Other technical skills include a solid foundation in timber cruising techniques, both on paper, and with digital data recorders. While nobody expects new employees to be familiar with all technology, employers are looking for people that can easily adapt to new tools and build on their existing skills.
What's a good job out of college for Forester Aides?
Patrick Hiesl Ph.D.: This is a challenging question, as it depends on the goals and interests of the college graduate. Forestry consists of many specialized fields and employers can be federal or state governments, non-profit organizations, private industry, and others. Some of my students are interested in working for the federal government, so a job with the US Forest Service would be good for them. The US Forest Service offers a wide range of employment opportunities across the US and if someone is interested in working in many different parts of the US, working for the US Forest Service may be the right thing for them. I also have many students that wish to work for the state forest service or forestry commission. Similar to the US Forest Service, the state forest service or forestry commission can offer a wide range of employment opportunities, all within one state. If a college graduate is interested in working with private forest owners to manage their timberland, then a job with a consulting forestry firm is the right choice for them. Wood procurement is a large field within forestry and college graduates can find employment with wood dealers or with large industrial companies. Working for a wood dealer typically includes a lot of time traveling and searching for wood to buy. It also includes a lot of different forms of communication and interacting with potential customers. Industrial procurement on the other side is done by large industrial companies at their local mill level. Many of the industrial procurement foresters spend most of their time on the phone and in front of a computer. More numbers are crunched to provide their suppliers with accurate prices that the company can afford to pay. If a college graduate is more inclined to work in an office then outside, an industrial procurement job is the right fit. There are also many more employment options out there and it all depends on the goals and objectives of the college graduate. This is also why it is important for students to work internships during the summers, to help them figure out what they are really interested in.