As of June 2026, Forest and Conservation Technicians has an AI-exposure score of 57/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Forest and Conservation Technicians
More exposed than 54% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$54,560. About 3,900 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How you compare to similar Science roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
- Measure distances, clean sightlines, and record data to help survey crews.
- Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.
- Keep records of the amount and condition of logs taken to mills.
- Survey, measure, and map access roads and forest areas such as burns, cut-over areas, experimental plots, and timber sales sections.
- Map forest tract data using digital mapping systems.
- Provide forestry education and general information, advice, and recommendations to woodlot owners, community organizations, and the general public.
- Develop and maintain computer databases.
- Perform reforestation or forest renewal, including nursery and silviculture operations, site preparation, seeding and tree planting programs, cone collection, and tree improvement.
- Manage forest protection activities, including fire control, fire crew training, and coordination of fire detection and public education programs.
- Monitor activities of logging companies and contractors.
- Select and mark trees for thinning or logging, drawing detailed plans that include access roads.
- Conduct laboratory or field experiments with plants, animals, insects, diseases, and soils.
- Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage.
- Issue fire permits, timber permits, and other forest use licenses.
- Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
- Supervise forest nursery operations, timber harvesting, land use activities such as livestock grazing, and disease or insect control programs.
- Plan and supervise construction of access routes and forest roads.
- Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
- Inspect trees and collect samples of plants, seeds, foliage, bark, and roots to locate insect and disease damage.
- Provide technical support to forestry research programs in areas such as tree improvement, seed orchard operations, insect and disease surveys, or experimental forestry and forest engineering research.
No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (65%).
Safer adjacent roles
Your AI-Safe Career Report
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Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium — adapting pays. — PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026
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