Forestry
NAICS Code: 1131-2
Industry Insight
The Forestry industry is classified under NAICS code 1131-2 and employed approximately 7,000 workers in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections program. By 2034, BLS projects employment will reach 6,900 — a net change of -100 jobs over the decade. That works out to a -2.0% projected growth rate, a contraction reflecting structural change, automation, or shifting consumer demand.
NAICS 1131-2 sits within a broader sector ecosystem whose health depends on demographic trends, technology adoption curves, and policy decisions on immigration, tax incentives, and labor regulation. The occupation mix inside Forestry determines how AI displacement risk filters down to individual workers — industries dominated by clerical and routine analytical roles face the steepest exposure, while those anchored in physical skill, patient care, or creative judgment retain stronger resilience. The projected decline here signals workers should proactively assess transferable skills and adjacent occupations with stronger outlooks.
Use this industry profile alongside our occupation rankings and employer AI risk grades to build a full picture. The BLS publishes detailed wage and employment figures for each sector in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Employment Projections programs. The BLS Employment Projections methodology blends input-output modeling, productivity forecasts, and occupational staffing patterns, so estimates are directional rather than precise, and industry-level outcomes depend heavily on macroeconomic conditions that evolve between projection cycles.
Peer Industries by Employment
How Forestry (NAICS 1131-2) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Rooming and boarding houses, dormitories, and workers' camps | 10,400 | +0.5% |
| Other schools and instruction; local | 8,800 | -5.5% |
| Hydroelectric power generation | 8,200 | +0.4% |
| Other pipeline transportation | 7,600 | +1.5% |
| Forestry | 7,000 | -2.0% |
| Other electric power generation | 4,700 | +32.9% |
Peers are selected by similarity in 2024 employment. Figures in thousands. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in Forestry?
As of 2024, the Forestry industry employs approximately 7,000 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Forestry growing or declining?
The Forestry industry is projected to decline by 2.0% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of -100 jobs over the decade.
What jobs are in the Forestry industry?
The Forestry industry (NAICS 1131-2) employs workers across a range of occupations. Browse the full occupations directory to see AI exposure scores, wage data, and growth projections for specific roles common in this industry.
How will AI affect the Forestry industry?
AI impact on the Forestry industry depends on the specific occupation mix. Industries with more routine data processing and clerical roles tend to have higher AI displacement risk, while those requiring physical labor, complex judgment, or creative work face lower risk. View occupation-level AI exposure scores for detailed analysis.
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Employment figures in thousands. Data reflects projected changes over the 2024–2034 decade