Forest and conservation workers
SOC Code: 45-4011
Forest and conservation workers carries a 29% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $43,680 and -4.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 10,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Forest and conservation workers (SOC 45-4011) carries an AI exposure score of 29%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 10,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -4.7% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $43,680, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Forest and conservation workers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
- 2. Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians.
- 3. Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
- 4. Maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking or measuring efforts.
- 5. Confer with other workers to discuss issues, such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.
- 6. Explain or enforce regulations regarding camping, vehicle use, fires, use of buildings, or sanitation.
- 7. Operate skidders, bulldozers, or other prime movers to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation equipment over areas to be regenerated.
- 8. Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation.
- 9. Thin or space trees, using power thinning saws.
- 10. Identify diseased or undesirable trees and remove them, using power saws or hand saws.
Key Skills Required
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Coordination
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Geography
- Biology
- Communications and Media
- Transportation
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Forest and conservation workers?
Forest and conservation workers has an AI exposure score of 29%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Forest and conservation workers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Forest and conservation workers is projected to decline by 4.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 10,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Forest and conservation workers?
Key skills for Forest and conservation workers include Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Forest and conservation workers earn?
The median annual wage for Forest and conservation workers is $43,680, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Forest and conservation workers?
The typical entry-level education for Forest and conservation workers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Forest and conservation workers?
Forest and conservation workers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).