2223-NOC-forestry-technologists-technicians

Forestry professionals

(NOC 21111)
Annual Earnings
$75,603
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
770

Career Overview

Forestry professionals carry out research, develop plans and administer programs related to the management and harvesting of forest resources.

People in this career work for the forest industry, provincial and federal governments, consulting companies, educational institutions or other industries, or may be self-employed.

Duties

Forestry professionals:

  • Plan and direct forest surveys and related studies, and prepare reports on findings, conclusions and recommendations
  • Create short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources
  • Plan and direct: woodlands harvesting; road building; and programs for reforestation, silviculture, fire prevention and suppression, wildlife management, environmental protection, and insect and vegetation control
  • Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and the leasing of forest lands
  • Oversee contract compliance and results of forestry activities
  • Ensure adherence to government regulations and forest company goals
  • Plan and carry out public relations programs and education and extension programs related to forestry
  • Create and oversee programs for tree seedling production and woodlands nursery operations
  • Carry out research in the areas of tree improvement, nursery seedling production, forest soils, forest ecology, forest surveys, forest operations and other areas
  • Provide advice, recommendations and other consultative services about forestry matters to private woodlot owners, municipal, provincial or federal governments, or forest companies

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$75,603

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$54.27/hr
Median$36.25/hr
Low$30.30/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

2,220

% Employed Full Time

70%
Source: 2021 Census

Key aspects of work in this occupation:

  • Work is typically performed either in a structured environment, such as an office, or in an outdoor work environment where the worker is exposed to many different weather conditions
  • Examples of work done outdoors may include operating power saws to thin and space trees, conducting site inspections of forestry operations, and repairing roads

 

Career Pathways

With experience, mobility is possible to management positions in government and industry.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic
Investigative
Investigative

Job Titles

Appraisal forester
Consulting forester
District forester
Forester
Regional inventory officer - forestry
Registered professional forester (RPF)

Education, Training and Skills

  • A bachelor's degree in forestry or forestry engineering is required
  • Certification as a forester or forest engineer by provincially chartered associations is required in provinces having such associations
  • A two-year practicum of supervised work experience and professional examinations are usually required before registration

 

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Forestry Related
  • Forestry/Resource Management Related
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

75%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

75%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

75%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

72%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

72%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

68%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

68%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

68%
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.

65%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

65%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

2,220
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 440 19.8%
Kootenay 185 8.3%
Mainland/Southwest 290 13.0%
North Coast and Nechako 260 11.7%
Northeast 40 1.8%
Thompson-Okanagan 480 21.6%
Vancouver Island/Coast 530 23.8%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

770
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 140 -0.9%
Kootenay 90 0.6%
Mainland/Southwest 90 -0.1%
North Coast and Nechako 110 0.0%
Northeast 10 -1.5%
Thompson-Okanagan 160 -0.4%
Vancouver Island/Coast 180 0.4%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services310
Forestry, Logging And Support Activities220
Public Administration140
Manufacturing70
Educational Services10
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources