Forestry
Quick Facts: Forestry Training
Where it's offered
Forestry programs are offered at 3 schools across 3 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $38,666/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Forestry — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 3 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 42/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Forestry Graduates Do
Your career in forestry begins outdoors, often as a forest and conservation technician. You’ll spend your days in the field, navigating terrain with a GPS, measuring tree growth with calipers, and marking timber for management or sale. It’s physical work in all weather, providing the essential data that keeps our forests healthy and productive.
Read more
As you gain experience, you can advance to a Forester or Conservation Scientist role. Here, your focus shifts to planning and analysis. You'll use the data you once collected to create sustainable harvest schedules, design reforestation projects using GIS software, and manage ecosystems for wildlife and recreation. With seniority, you can become a First-line Supervisor, leading a crew of technicians, or a specialist in areas like fire management or urban forestry.
Starting salaries are typically in the $40,000s to low $50,000s, but as you move into forester and scientist roles, earnings can grow into the $70,000s and beyond. AI tools may assist with data analysis and mapping, but the core work of assessing forests on-site and making hands-on management decisions remains fundamentally human.
If Forestry doesn't fit your goals, programs like Wildlife Management, Natural Resources, and Plant Sciences draw from adjacent skill sets.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Forestry. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bison Herd Manager
RAPIDS 1136 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $48K – $59,330 – $77K | 2.5% |
|
Soil Conservation Technician
RAPIDS 450 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $53K – $67,950 – $88K | 3.4% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Forestry Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Forestry is offered at 3 schools across 3 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Forestry Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Forestry programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
3 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ |
54 49–56 |
| 2 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway, SC |
52 47–54 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA |
40 37–42 |
Highest Earning Forestry Programs
Schools where Forestry graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Arizona University | $43,144/yr | 54 |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology | $36,719/yr | 40 |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | $36,135/yr | 52 |
Best ROI for Forestry
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Forestry.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | 54.6x | $36,135/yr | 52 |
| Northern Arizona University | 46.2x | $43,144/yr | 54 |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology | 9.2x | $36,719/yr | 40 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Forestry degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.