Is Forest Product A Good Career Path? |2023

Yes, forest products is a good and lucrative career path, the industry is worth million of dollars and would contiue to be on the rise.

According to the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) it is estimated that the U.S. forest products sector employs nearly one million people and contributes roughly 6% of the nation’s manufacturing GDP industry.

Working in the forest products will be a very lucrative career because it ranks among the top ten manufacturing sector employers in 48 states. It, on the other hand, produces over $200 billion in yearly sales and pays out around $54 billion in annual wages.

Example of forest product are food, clothes, woods and drugs, this are essential needs of man. So it safe to say that forest products are in charge of wide variety of products so there is plenty of jobs available for individuals interested in securing a career in the forest product industry.

This article would explain everything you need to excel in the forest product industry and also the highest paying jobs forest product.

So, if you desire to know more about this lucrative career path read through this article.

What is Forestry

Forestry is the science and art of growing, maintaining, planting, using, preserving, and restoring forests, woodlands, and related resources.

Forestry work takes place in both planted areas and undeveloped areas.

What are Forest Products?

Any product or by product obtained from forestry for business or direct use can be seen as a forest product. Examples are

timber, paper, or cattle feed. Wood is one of the most popular forest product because it is used for variety of things.

Also Read: Is Consumer Durable Goods A Good Career Path

Other examples of Forest Products include;

• Food Products
• Natural Honey
• Wild Meat
• Coconut Oil
• Olive Oil
• Palm Oil
• Wine
• Fruits
• Mushrooms
• Nuts
• Swan Hardwood
• Rubber
• Bamboos
• Rattan, Cane, and Raffia
• Medical and dietary supplements

With all this forest products listed above it is clear to say that forest product is a good career path.

What are the Benefits of Working In Forest Products?

1. Contribute to Environmental Wellness

You would play a part in making sure natural environments remain healthy or helping in health recovery through growth, cleanup, safety, and fire control is a vital ingredient of many forest products career paths.

2. Work Outside

Since they offer a lot of outside labor, forestry occupations attract a lot of individuals. Additionally, the job is commonly done in open places with no sign of desks or cubicles.

3. Use Specialized Knowledge to Solve Problems

To address difficulties, those in the forest products industry always combine several sorts of knowledge and abilities.

Using specialized hands-on labor, theory, and data analysis to resolve large-scale problems that impact numerous people and other living creations(animals) may be incredibly fulfilling.

4. Use Unique and Interesting Technologies

Many forest products’ career paths allow the use of tech special to the industry, offering workers ideas and abilities that other experts lack.

Importance of Forest Products Industry in the Modern World

The importance of forest product industry cannot be overemphasized, almost everything we use daily originates from forest product either direct or indirectly. 

Forest products are very important and are of high value in our society, the government also serves as an eagle eye over the industry to make sure there is a balance in the rate at which trees are been exploited to the rate they are planted.

The forest product industry can be referred to as the mother of all industries as almost every sector depends on it for survival.

Is a Degree in Forestry Worth It?

Yes, a degree in forestry is worth it. you would play a major role in making sure that there is a balance in the exploitation of forest products. There are lot of jobs waiting for you immediately you graduate from forestry college.

Classification Of Forest Products

Forest products can be classified under the following;

1. Natural and Edible Goods: The principal products produced and manufactured by these businesses are those that people either consume or use on a daily basis, such as honey, wine, oils, wild meat, and so on. Working here is quite similar to what you see on the Discovery Channel program “Food Factory.”

2. Wood Products: The elegant wooden furniture that gives your house a chic and opulent appeal is all made of wood. With the use of cutting-edge technology, wood logs are converted into gleaming and lovely furniture.

3. Pulp, Paper & Packaging: These businesses are in charge of removing raw materials from forests, turning them into pulp, and finally producing paper sheets. Papers and cardboard made by these businesses are heavily reliant on the packaging industry.

How Much Can You Make From the Field of Forest Products Career Path?

According to Indeed, the typical hourly wage at RSG Forest Products ranges from about $14.58 for mill workers to $26.83 for maintenance mechanics.

Additionally, the typical salary at RSG Forest Products ranges from around $23,000 for Pullers to $27,000 for runners.

Types of Jobs Forest Products Career Path

The forest products sector has a number of employment openings that pay well and feature some of the most intriguing career titles. These are a few of the most sought-after job titles:

• Foresters
• Naturalists
• Forestry Technicians
• Groundwater Professionals
• Land Trust or Preserve Managers
• Landscapers and Grounds Managers
• Logging Industry Workers
• National Park Service Employees
• Soil Scientists
• Paper Processing Workers
• Soil Conservationists and Technicians
• Arborists
• Wood Science and Technology Workers

7 Highest Paying Jobs in Forest Products 

1. Forest Engineer

Average Annual Salary: $84,000

Forest engineers take into considerations local laws, regulations, and protective measures into mind while selecting the best and most effective manner to log a particular region.

They decide where to place the equipment, how to position it safely, and how to set it up in a way that is both quick and logical.

2. Naturalist

Average Annual Salary: $50,000

Naruralist is one of the highest paying jobs in forest product, the primary duties of a naturalist include researching organisms and ecosystems and keeping track of how various living things interact with and affect one another.

They also assist in environmental protection and inform the public about their discoveries. A solid background in biology, ecosystems, and fieldwork are requirements for this position.

3. Agronomist

Average Annual Salary: $61,000

Agrononist are proffessionals who assist in researching and choosing the ideal soil and climatic conditions for the highest crop output.

Additionally, they work to improve the potential of watering and organize the transportation of goods so that they reach their destinations without spoiling.

4. Environmental Engineer

Average Annual Salary: $69,000

Environmental engineer are professional which primary duty is to solve environmental problems like pollution and mineral extraction.

They find ways to exploit environmental resources without causing much damages to the environment.

5. Silviculturist

The science of growing trees for harvest, primarily for timber, is known as silviculture.

Although sylviculturists can cultivate forests and trees for various raw materials like oils and maple syrup, timber is the most in-demand product.

6. Wood Technologist

Average Annual Salary: $61,000 

Wood is a specialty of wood technologists. wood technologist work at sawmills to decide how to cut, dry, and process the wood to make items that can be sold, such plywood.

7. Forest Ranger

Average Annual Salary: $51,000

Forest rangers are one of the most popular jobs in forest products industry. They work for local authorities to ensure the safety of local parks. They are in charge of maintaining the forest, responding to fires, and assisting any missing hikers.

they also carry out legal duties such controls on burning and hunting.

FAQs

Is forestry a good career?

Yes, forestry is a good career, although it is a career that requires you to have passion for the environment and expeditions.

The pay in forestry is decent and there is a nice work-life balance with little stress.

What are the highest paying forestry jobs?

• Forest Fire Prevention Manager.
• Forest Fire Management Officer.
• Procurement Forester.
• Forest Fire Prevention Specialist.
• Forest Engineer.
• Resource Forester.
• Log Buyer.
• Tree Climber.

What are examples of careers in forestry?

• Technicians
• Silviculturists (forest managers)
• Environmental supervisors.
• Forestry technologists.
• Heavy equipment operators (logging, sawmill, and pulp mill)
• Logging truck drivers.
• Material handlers.

How do I get started in forestry?

An associate’s degree in forest and conservation technology, a high school diploma, or at least a bachelor’s degree in conservation science or forestry are commonly required for entry into these fields for forest and conservation employees, technicians, and scientists, respectively.

Conclusion

If you are among people contemplating on the question “Is Forest Products A Good Career Path”, hope this article has done enough justice to the question.

If you are passionate about the environment this industry would be a perfect fit for you, there are high paying jobs waiting to be tapped from forest product industry.

Always make hay while the sun shines, there is no better time to kick start a career in forest product than now.

 Make sure you go through the list of highest paying jobs in forest products and pick a job with respect to your skill.

Educational qualification isn’t usually a problem here, there are employment vacancies for individuals not withstanding their level of schooling.

The forest sector is likely to expand by 5% between 2019 and 2029, which is faster than the general rate of job growth.

Reference

en.wikipedia.org– Forest product

firescience.org– WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A FORESTRY DEGREE

indeed.com– RSG Forest Products salaries: How much does RSG Forest Products pay?

zippia.com– 20 JOBS IN FOREST PRODUCTS: BEST-PAYING + ENTRY-LEVEL