Foresters

Employment for foresters is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all careers from 2023 through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Most job growth for foresters will occur for those who work in state- and local-owned forests, particularly in the western United States. The DOL reports that the "prevention and suppression of wildfires has become the primary concern for government agencies managing forests and rangelands. Governments are likely to hire more foresters as the number of forest fires increases and more people live on or near forest lands. Both the development of previously unused lands and changing weather conditions have contributed to increasingly devastating and costly fires." Demand will also grow for foresters to help restore lands affected by fires, particularly in the western and southwestern states, where fires are most common.

Opportunities will also be good for those with experience in urban forestry as city revitalization initiatives increase. A large number of foresters are expected to retire or leave the government for other reasons, resulting in some job openings.

There have been reductions in timber harvesting on public lands, most of which are located in the Northwest and California, affecting job growth for private industry foresters. Opportunities will be better for foresters on privately owned land. Landowners will continue to need consulting foresters, as will private industries, such as paper companies, sawmills, and pulp wood mills.

Foresters who have a strong understanding of geographic information systems technology, remote sensing, and other time- and cost-saving technologies, as well as those who are willing to relocate for jobs, will have the best employment opportunities.