Foresters

Employers

There are approximately 15,400 foresters working in the United States. Federal, state, and local governments are by far the largest employers of foresters. About 40 percent of all salaried employees work for federal (mostly in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service), state, and local governments. While foresters are employed in every state, 30 percent work in five states: California, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, and Florida.

Foresters also work in private industry or are self-employed as consulting foresters. For those who work in private industry, employers include logging and lumber companies, sawmills, and research and testing facilities. Consulting foresters usually work with private or corporate owners of woodlands to help them manage their forests in the best way possible.

Starting Out

It can be challenging to find a position as a forester. There aren't that many foresters' jobs and the competition is tough. But a determined person who is willing to relocate will eventually find a job.

Because the majority of foresters are employed by government agencies, forestry school graduates might first pursue this avenue of employment. Job seekers should check with their state and local governments for job listings, as well as with federal agencies, such as the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Beginning foresters are often hired for government jobs on the basis of competitive civil service examinations.

Other foresters work for private industry, primarily for companies that manage forestlands for lumber, pulp-wood, and other products. Newly graduated foresters should check with their college's career services offices for information on job opportunities. Reference sections of local libraries may contain directories of wood products manufacturers, pulp and paper mills, timber firms, and conservation groups, all of which may employ foresters. Finally, the Society of American Foresters maintains a list of resources for the forestry job seeker.