Best institutions to study Forest Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to assist foresters in the management and production of forest resources.
35 U.S. institutions graduated 283 Forest Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 03.0511, a specialization of Forestry (CIP 03.05), and leads most directly to the Forest and Conservation Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4071).
About Forest Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to assist foresters in the management and production of forest resources. Includes instruction in woods and field skills, tree identification, timber measurement, logging and timber harvesting, forest propagation and regeneration, forest fire-fighting, resource management, equipment operation and maintenance, record-keeping, sales and purchasing operations, and personnel supervision.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Forest Technology/Technician program is designed to prepare individuals for a career in managing and producing forest resources. This program equips students with the necessary skills to assist foresters in various tasks related to forestry and conservation. It is ideal for those passionate about natural resources and conservation, seeking hands-on experience in the field.
Students in this program will learn critical skills such as tree identification, timber measurement, logging practices, and forest fire-fighting. Coursework also covers resource management, equipment operation, and record-keeping, providing a comprehensive foundation for a career in forestry.
Credentials awarded
What Forest Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree200 graduates / yr · 29 institutions71%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year66 graduates / yr · 10 institutions23%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years17 graduates / yr · 7 institutions6.0%
Graduates over time
Forest Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 351 |
| 2013 | 358 |
| 2014 | 323 |
| 2015 | 323 |
| 2016 | 339 |
| 2017 | 357 |
| 2018 | 313 |
| 2019 | 383 |
| 2020 | 368 |
| 2021 | 327 |
| 2022 | 324 |
| 2023 | 304 |
| 2024 | 327 |
| 2025 | 283 |
Top 35 institutions for Forest Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green River College Auburn, WAPublicAssociate's | 24 | 39% | — | — |
| 2 | Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 48% | — | — |
| 3 | Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia, ALPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 41% | — | — |
| 4 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NYPublicAssociate's | 19 | 66% | — | — |
| 5 | Wayne Community College Goldsboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 19 | 49% | — | — |
| 6 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicAssociate's | 19 | 53% | — | $36,719 |
| 7 | Haywood Community College Clyde, NCPublicAssociate's | 18 | 34% | — | — |
| 8 | Central Louisiana Technical Community College Alexandria, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 70% | — | — |
| 9 | Horry - Georgetown Technical College Conway, SCPublicAssociate's | 13 | 38% | — | $36,135 |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 51% | — | $41,177 |
| 11 | Montgomery Community College Troy, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 84% | — | — |
| 12 | SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 43% | — | — |
| 13 | Itawamba Community College Fulton, MSPublicAssociate's | 8 | 50% | — | — |
| 14 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Mont Alto Mont Alto, PAPublicAssociate's | 8 | 34% | — | — |
| 15 | Athens Technical College Athens, GAPublicAssociate's | 7 | 51% | — | — |
| 16 | Jones County Junior College Ellisville, MSPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 41% | — | — |
| 17 | Spokane Community College Spokane, WAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 33% | — | — |
| 18 | Allegany College of Maryland Cumberland, MDPublicAssociate's | 5 | 40% | — | — |
| 19 | Gogebic Community College Ironwood, MIPublicAssociate's | 5 | 36% | — | — |
| 20 | East Mississippi Community College Scooba, MSPublicAssociate's | 5 | 48% | — | — |
| 21 | Glenville State University Glenville, WVPublicAssociate's | 5 | 34% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicAssociate's | 4 | 57% | — | $47,399 |
| 23 | University of Maine at Fort Kent Fort Kent, MEPublicAssociate's | 4 | 39% | — | — |
| 24 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 51% | $22,773 | $44,342 |
| 25 | Central Oregon Community College Bend, ORPublicAssociate's | 3 | 25% | — | — |
| 26 | Mt Hood Community College Gresham, ORPublicAssociate's | 3 | 24% | — | — |
| 27 | Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro, GAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 43% | — | — |
| 28 | South Arkansas College El Dorado, ARPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 30% | — | — |
| 29 | College of Lake County Grayslake, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 37% | — | — |
| 30 | Holmes Community College Goodman, MSPublicAssociate's | 2 | 39% | — | — |
| 31 | Three Rivers College Poplar Bluff, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 2 | 33% | — | — |
| 32 | Bay de Noc Community College Escanaba, MIPublicAssociate's | 1 | 30% | — | — |
| 33 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 81% | — | $39,178 |
| 34 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicAssociate's | 1 | 76% | — | — |
| 35 | Davis & Elkins College Elkins, WVPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 1 | 39% | $19,284 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Forestry field (CIP 03.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 20 states
Where Forest Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Forestry programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4071, Forest and Conservation Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Forest Technology/Technician program can pursue careers as Forest and Conservation Technicians or Forest and Conservation Workers. While the job outlook shows a decline of 3.2%, there are approximately 3,900 annual openings in this field, with a median wage of $54,310. An Associate's degree is typically required for these positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 03.0511
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Forest and Conservation Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4071 | $54,560 | -3.2% Decline | ~3,900 | Associate's degree |
Forest and Conservation Workers SOC 45-4011 | $43,680 | -4.7% Decline | ~2,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Forest Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
- Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
- Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.
- Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage.
- Map forest tract data using digital mapping systems.
- Keep records of the amount and condition of logs taken to mills.
Tools and technology used
Other Forestry specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Forestry (CIP 03.05).
- ForestryCIP 03.05011,235 graduates / yr43 institutions
- Forest Sciences and BiologyCIP 03.0502367 graduates / yr20 institutions
- Forest Management/CIP 03.0506
Forest Resources Management 287 graduates / yr17 institutions - Urban ForestryCIP 03.050892 graduates / yr12 institutions
- ForestryCIP 03.0599partial data89 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Wood Science and Wood Products/CIP 03.0509
Pulp and Paper Technology/ Technician partial data80 graduates / yr6 institutions - Forest Resources Production and ManagementCIP 03.0510partial data51 graduates / yr7 institutions
Common questions
What type of degree do I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in the program?+
You'll develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and various forestry-related tasks.
What are the main career options after graduation?+
You can work as a Forest and Conservation Technician or a Forest and Conservation Worker.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is projected to decline by 3.2%, with around 3,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Forest Technology/Technician?+
Forest Technology/Technician is CIP 03.0511 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Forestry (CIP 03.05). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to assist foresters in the management and production of forest resources. Includes instruction in woods and field skills, tree identification, timber measurement, logging and timber harvesting, forest propagation and regeneration, forest fire-fighting, resource management, equipment operation and maintenance, record-keeping, sales and purchasing operations, and personnel supervision.
How many institutions offer Forest Technology/Technician programs?+
35 U.S. institutions reported Forest Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 20 states, awarding 283 credentials in the year. That is 11.4% of all Forestry graduates.
How much do Forest Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Forest and Conservation Technicians occupation, which Forest Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $54,560 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Forestry field report median earnings of $41,177 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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