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US job code 45-4011People-facingHigh change by 2035

Forest and Conservation Workers

Machines can already do 24% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 64%. The job changes before it disappears.

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Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205024%Half: 2033

Forest and Conservation Workers in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 24% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 64% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 6,050 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $43,680 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 75% for contact with people.
  • Also called: Christmas Tree Farmer, Conservation Officer, Field Laborer, Forest Ranger.
  • Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.

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.

Machines can do today
24%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
64%half the tasks by 2033
US median pay
$43,680a year, May 2025
US jobs
6k6,050 people
Contact with people
75%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

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.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Select tree seedlings, prepare the ground, or plant the trees in reforestation areas, using manual planting tools11%
20% to 60%
Spray or inject vegetation with insecticides to kill insects or to protect against disease or with herbicides to reduce competing vegetation8%
30% to 75%
Thin or space trees, using power thinning saws8%
20% to 60%
Maintain campsites or recreational areas, replenishing firewood or other supplies and cleaning kitchens or restrooms8%
30% to 75%
Perform fire protection or suppression duties, such as constructing fire breaks or disposing of brush7%
20% to 60%
Identify diseased or undesirable trees and remove them, using power saws or hand saws7%
20% to 60%
Prune or shear tree tops or limbs to control growth, increase density, or improve shape7%
30% to 75%
Check equipment to ensure that it is operating properly5%
20% to 60%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills forest and conservation workers use most, most used first.

Physical and manualProfessionalism and work ethicAdaptability and resilienceInterpersonal skillsCollaborationCommunicationMoral intelligence and integrity

Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace

How much forest and conservation workers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, low confidence.

  • Go-to problem solver3/10
  • Trust and reliability6/10
  • Know-how about the organisation4/10
  • Network and relationships4/10
  • Mentoring and developing others2/10
  • Culture and morale4/10
  • Initiative beyond the role2/10
  • Calm in a crisis6/10
  • Bridge between teams2/10
  • Reputation and influence1/10

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

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Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Forest and Conservation Workers?

Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of forest and conservation workers?

Machines can do 24% of the tasks of forest and conservation workers today and 64% 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 45-4011.00 (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, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, low confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Forest and Conservation Workers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/forest-and-conservation-workers/