How2Day: Agriculture & Forestry Jobs

As of 2008, the agriculture and forestry industries employed 1.3 million wage-earning workers and around 850,600 self-employed and family workers, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). One of the largest industries in the United States, agriculture and forestry includes a wide variety of jobs. Workers in the industry may work in scientific, business or law enforcement-related careers. Manual laborers are also employed in the agriculture and forestry industries.

Forest workers perform a variety of physical labor activities to maintain wooded areas. Workers dig holes to plant trees, remove dead or diseased trees from the forest and apply chemicals to help treat or prevent pests. Government agencies and lumber companies both employ forest workers. Those in lumbering may also cut down trees for processing into lumber. Most employers require only a high school diploma or GED to work in the field. The BLS predicted a 9 percent growth in the demand for forest workers from 2008 through 2018. The average annual salary for workers in the field was $29,410 per year as of May 2008, according to the BLS.

Farm managers oversee the business operations of a working farm or ranch. Managers hire, supervise and evaluate staff. They develop budgets and track expenditures. Agricultural managers monitor the farm's profitability and develop strategies to reduce the cost to operate or to improve productivity. Most large farming businesses prefer to hire farm managers with a degree in business or agricultural business. Smaller farms may accept applicants with an associate degree or extensive experience in both management and farming. The BLS anticipated a 6 percent increase in the demand for farm managers from 2008 through 2018. Farm managers' salaries are often irregular throughout the year due to changes in the prices of commodities. As of May 2008 the median weekly salary for managers was $775, according to the BLS.

A type of scientist, foresters typically work for government agencies, non-profit organizations and private companies managing wooded areas. Foresters study these areas to determine the overall health and productivity of the forest. They make recommendations and develop and monitor the progress of plans to keep forests thriving. Decisions made by foresters, such as when and where to plant more trees, influences the activities of forest workers who implement their plans. A bachelor's degree in forestry or biology is typically the minimum education acceptable to work as a forester, though many employers prefer candidates to have a graduate-level degree. Some states also require foresters to gain professional licensure by passing an examination. The BLS estimated a 12 percent increase in the demand for foresters from 2008 through 2018. Professionals in the field earned an average of $55,220 annually as of May 2008, reports the BLS.

Government agencies such as divisions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state game commissions employ fish and game wardens. These individuals enforce the laws of public lands like stare parks and national recreation areas. These laws protect the wildlife and forests, and many professionals in the field hold bachelor's degrees in forestry or agricultural-related fields. Specific education requirements vary from employer to employer, but a high school diploma or GED is generally necessary. The BLS predicted an 8 percent increase in the demand for game wardens from 2008 through 2018. The average annual salary of wardens was $54,950 as of May 2008, according to the BLS.

Farm laborers serve as the general labor for produce and dairy farms and ranches. Daily activities vary for agricultural workers who engage in the preparation of soil, planting and maintenance and harvesting of crops. Laborers often operate equipment such as plows, tillers and harvesters as a part of their daily work. Most employers do not have educational requirements for agricultural workers; a high school diploma is not usually necessary. The BLS estimated a 2 percent decline in the need for agricultural workers like farm laborers from 2008 through 2018. As of May 2008, the average annual wages for workers in the field was $19,780.

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