Conservation scientists and foresters
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Conservation scientists and foresters in the United States earn a median salary of $73,920 per year — about $36 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 42K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +3%.
AI & Automation Risk
This occupation involves a significant amount of physical field work, such as fire suppression, planting trees, and navigating difficult terrain, which provides a natural barrier to AI automation. However, a substantial portion of the role involves data analysis, GIS mapping, and regulatory compliance—tasks where AI can significantly enhance productivity and decision-making. While AI will reshape the information-processing aspects of the job, the requirement for real-world presence and manual intervention keeps exposure moderate.