Forest and Conservation Workers
SOC Code: 45-4011 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Forest and Conservation Workers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $52,770 | $60,070 | $67,392 | $74,693 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $52,770 | $60,070 | $67,392 | $74,693 |
| East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $52,770 | $60,070 | $67,392 | $74,693 |
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $52,770 | $60,070 | $67,392 | $74,693 |
| Peoria, IL | $52,770 | $60,070 | $67,392 | $74,693 |
| Bloomington, IL | $52,770 | $60,070 | $67,392 | $74,693 |
| Decatur, IL | $52,770 | $60,070 | $67,392 | $74,693 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,005 | $57,075 | $65,125 | $73,195 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $49,005 | $57,075 | $65,125 | $73,195 |
| Kankakee, IL | $49,005 | $57,075 | $65,125 | $73,195 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Active Learning | 3.0 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 | |
| Time Management | 2.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Public Safety and Security | 3.5 |
| English Language | 3.5 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.2 |
| Administration and Management | 3.2 |
| Geography | 3.0 |
| Biology | 3.0 |
| Communications and Media | 2.9 |
| Transportation | 2.9 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 43.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 22.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.2% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 6.5% |
| Less than high school | 3.4% |
| Some college | 1.9% |
| Associate's degree | 1.8% |
Typical Tasks
- Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly.
- Confer with other workers to discuss issues, such as safety, cutting heights, or work needs.
- Fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians.
- Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Calculate your wage level for Forest and Conservation Workers →
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