Forest and Conservation Technicians
Machines can already do 22% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 50%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Forest and Conservation Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 22% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 2% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2035, and 50% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 30,410 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $54,560 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 81% for contact with people.
- Also called: Biological Science Aide, Forest Technician, Forestry Aide, Forestry Technician (Forestry Tech).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manage forest protection activities, including fire control, fire crew training, and coordination of fire detection and public education programs | 9% | 10% to 27% | |
| Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities | 8% | 18% to 38% | |
| Map forest tract data using digital mapping systems | 8% | 52% to 82% | |
| Perform reforestation or forest renewal, including nursery and silviculture operations, site preparation, seeding and tree planting programs, cone collection, and tree improvement | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Survey, measure, and map access roads and forest areas such as burns, cut-over areas, experimental plots, and timber sales sections | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Patrol park or forest areas to protect resources and prevent damage | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention | 5% | 35% to 58% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills forest and conservation technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $106,040
- Recreation Workers49% of tasks by 2035 · US median $36,560
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $49,100
- Coaches and Scouts48% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,320
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Forest and Conservation Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2035. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of forest and conservation technicians?
Machines can do 22% of the tasks of forest and conservation technicians today and 50% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-4071.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Forest and Conservation Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/forest-and-conservation-technicians/