Forest and Conservation Technician Salary in 2026

    SOC: 19-4071.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $54,310
    per year
    Salary Range
    $36K – $81K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    31,080
    employed
    Job Growth
    -3.2%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Forest and Conservation Technicians Make?

    Forest and Conservation Technicians earn a median annual salary of $54,310 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $36,190 at the 10th percentile to $80,790 at the 90th percentile — a range of $44,600. The highest-paying state is Maryland at $67,450.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$36,190
    25th percentile$42,560
    Median (50th)$54,310
    75th percentile$66,020
    90th percentile$80,790
    10th: $36,190Median: $54,31090th: $80,790
    Section 02

    Forest and Conservation Technician Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Marylandtop$67,450
    Minnesota$63,540
    California$60,880
    Louisiana$58,820
    Pennsylvania$57,910
    New York$56,340
    Oregon$55,810
    Alaska$54,810
    Alabama$54,310
    Idaho$54,310
    Montana$54,310
    Arizona$54,310
    Arkansas$54,310
    Washington$54,310
    Colorado$54,310
    Massachusetts$53,960
    Michigan$53,730
    Nevada$53,350
    Nebraska$53,250
    Wyoming$53,250
    Wisconsin$52,620
    Florida$52,290
    South Dakota$52,290
    Texas$51,570
    Mississippi$51,460
    West Virginia$51,440
    Georgia$48,880
    Vermont$48,510
    Iowa$48,280
    South Carolina$48,260
    Hawaii$47,810
    Tennessee$47,370
    Missouri$46,860
    Illinois$45,570
    North Carolina$45,570
    Ohio$45,570
    North Dakota$44,820
    Utah$44,780
    New Hampshire$44,700
    Virginia$43,330
    Kentucky$40,910
    Maine$39,560
    Kansas$36,660
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Forest and Conservation Technicians

    Maryland
    Highest paying
    $67,450
    top metro salary
    Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area
    $67,140
    $-310 vs highest
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
    $66,020
    $-1,430 vs highest
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
    $66,020
    $-1,430 vs highest
    Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area
    $65,670
    $-1,780 vs highest
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
    $65,450
    $-2,000 vs highest
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
    $65,230
    $-2,220 vs highest
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
    $65,060
    $-2,390 vs highest
    Section 04

    Forest and Conservation Technician Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$36,190 – $42,560
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$54,310
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$66,020
    Senior (15+ yrs)$80,790+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Forest and Conservation Technician

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Forest and Conservation Technicians in Maryland earn $67,450 — $13,140 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($66,020) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Forest and Conservation Technician Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Forest and Conservation Technicianthis career$54,310
    Water Resource Specialist$161,180
    Environmental Compliance Inspector$78,420
    Agricultural Engineer$84,630
    Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technician$58,890

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    PathScorer compares your skills to Forest and Conservation Technician requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 19-4071.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.