Forestry occupations take numerous forms and allow opportunities to work with our hands or do academic tasks.
It’s ideal if you are keen to work outdoors for evaluating lands, cultivating woods, or utilizing computerized mapping systems for monitoring wooded regions.
You can also opt to help companies keep complying with environmental standards, combat and mitigate forest fires or push for conservation-focused policies, and more.
Prospects vary based on the degree-level significance and may sometimes overlap.
We looked at various careers and found that the following prominent forestry and wildlife options can explain the diversity and what they entail.
1. Wildlife Biologist
Why Become a Wildlife Biologist?
With an average salary of nearly $70K, studying to become a wildlife biologist is worthwhile.
In terms of fulfillment, you get to educate communities about the various habitats for wildlife and the environmental factors and problems linked to animals that aren’t domesticated.
For the protection of animal species, wildlife biologists are vital.
They also contribute to the well-being of society.
They study wildlife in their natural environments and investigate environmental risks, diseases, and odd movement patterns.
For some populations, the protection of animals and people gets compromised if no wildlife biologists are present.
| Wildlife Biologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $70,300 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.80 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Wildlife Biologist
2. Ecologist
Why Become an Ecologist?
We’ve seen that most individuals seek a job in ecology since they appreciate nature, not that they want to generate income or climb the social ladder.
A keen interest in the functioning of the ecosphere is one of the greatest strengths to possess.
Often, the fuel for an ecologist’s interest in nature comes from a strong desire to learn more about specific flora and fauna.
A nice perk would be to go on field trips in the great outdoors.
Most ecologists make between 30 and 50 thousand dollars per year, the Ecological Society of America (ESA) says, and a fifth earns between 50 and 75 thousand dollars.
| Ecologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $81,240 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $39.06 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 11% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Ecologist
3. Firefighter
Why Become a Firefighter?
If you like helping others, working a flexible schedule, teamwork, and exercising, becoming a firefighter will befit your aptitude.
To be effective in a crisis, firefighters need to be physically and mentally challenging.
Another reason why so many people choose to become firefighters is the sense of community.
Another perk of becoming a fireman is working a schedule that doesn’t need a 9-to-5 shift.
Firefighting is a career option for people who pursue it as a full-time job rather than a hobby.
A firefighter gets trained to smother flames that threaten human life or property, and in certain instances or locations, evacuate people and wildlife from hazardous conditions.
As per salary.com, the median base wage is $48,473.
| Firefighter Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $55,290 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $26.58 |
| Education | 2-4 Years |
| Outlook | 7.2% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Firefighter
4. Environmentalist
Why Become an Environmentalist?
If you find that you’re passionate about the environment for a while and want to effect change, this is a career for you.
An environmentalist is someone who works to protect and maintain the natural world.
They use research and advocacy to advocate for the safe use of natural resources while encouraging people to interact with nature.
Environmentalists can work in various professions, including science, law, and education.
Because environmentalists can work in various industries, your jobs and responsibilities may vary.
Conducting experiments, drafting proposals or grants, and promoting environmental awareness are only some of the routine duties of an environmentalist.
Many environmentalists are involved in the conservation of natural resources and the preservation of wildlife habitats.
| Environmentalist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $81,240 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $39.06 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 15% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Environmentalist
5. Conservationist
Why Become a Conservationist?
Want a job whose tasks vary based on the environmental needs on any given day?
Being a Conservationist will suit you well.
Among the many responsibilities of a conservationist is the oversight of natural resources such as parkland, woodlands, and pastureland.
Figuring out ways to use land not to hurt the environment is a part of this sustainable career.
Private property owners and government entities hire conservationists to ensure compliance with legislation and take proper steps to safeguard habitats.
| Conservationist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $68,230 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $32.81 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 6.3% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Conservationist
6. Logger
Why Become a Logger?
A career as a logger/lumberjack could be ideal if you enjoy physical labor and the great outdoors.
In addition, the BLS estimates that you can earn anywhere from $30,000 to $80,000 per year from it.
With heavy machinery, loggers cut the wood used in buildings and homes worldwide.
Being a logger isn’t for everyone, but there are numerous perks to the job.
Loggers are known for putting in long shifts while operating large equipment and getting great cardiovascular and muscular exercise.
It is a physically demanding job that takes a lot of strength and stamina, and you can even compete in lumberjack competitions as a result.
Meanwhile, for many loggers, working in protected zones means that they are liable for the environmental consequences of their job.
| Logger Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $43,960 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $21.14 |
| Education | 1-2 Years |
| Outlook | -14% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Logger
7. Zoologist
Why Become a Zoologist?
Becoming a Zoologist means you’ll research animals in the wild and laboratory settings.
You look into the evolution of animal species, as well as their behavior and interactions with one another.
Researchers in the field of zoology study animal diseases.
While performing field studies in remote and severe climates, Zoologists might even have to endure grueling physical exertion and primitive living conditions.
Zoologists may be called upon to enforce environmental regulations.
| Zoologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $70,300 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.80 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Zoologist
8. Veterinarian
Why Become a Veterinarian?
A salary that ranges from 50 to 200 thousand dollars in addition to a love for animals is the two main reasons to becoming a Veterinarian.
It is one of the best advantages of a job in veterinary science to help your patients’ health and well-being.
You can also improve the conditions of animals who have been injured or are ill due to a chronic disease or injury and reduce animal overpopulation through spay and neuter procedures.
Because the animal can’t articulate what’s bothering them, you’ll need problem-solving skills.
Vets get to know many people in the community since they see their animals for appointments and emergencies.
| Veterinarian Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $109,920 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $52.84 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 18.8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Veterinarian
9. Zookeeper
Why Become a Zookeeper?
A Zookeeper is a zoologist who is responsible for maintaining the health and well-being of the animals in the zoo, as well as training and monitoring their behavior.
When you spend time with animals regularly, you get a feeling of individual fulfillment and accomplishment.
When you volunteer at an animal sanctuary, you may be able to help care for creatures rescued from the wild.
Educating the public about preservation and animal behaviors is another primary responsibility of zookeepers.
Zoos and the need for zookeepers benefit from the growing popularity of animals and the corresponding increase in consumer spending on pet care.
| Zookeeper Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $70,300 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.80 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 16% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Zookeeper
