Wages vary by employer. Starting salaries in private industry are similar to those in the federal government. However, starting salaries in state and local government are usually lower. Wages also vary based on the technician's experience and education.
Benefits also vary by employer. Full-time, year-round forestry technicians may earn typical benefits, especially in government agencies. Typical benefits include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance.
Forest and conservation technicians (SOC 19-4071)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $17.35 | $21.25 | $29.60 |
| Yearly | $36,084 | $44,191 | $61,567 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $18.45 | $20.77 | $26.34 |
| Yearly | $38,368 | $43,206 | $54,784 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $18.24 | $24.37 | $29.87 |
| Yearly | $37,950 | $50,691 | $62,125 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $16.66 | $17.35 | $30.02 |
| Yearly | $34,663 | $36,084 | $62,448 | |
| Decatur Area | Hourly | $13.43 | $18.68 | $35.23 |
| Yearly | $27,935 | $38,855 | $73,284 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $14.51 | $17.96 | $20.10 |
| Yearly | $30,183 | $37,343 | $41,792 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $15.09 | $18.63 | $23.81 |
| Yearly | $31,378 | $38,754 | $49,521 | |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area | Hourly | $14.38 | $22.84 | $26.42 |
| Yearly | $29,929 | $47,515 | $54,957 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $16.13 | $20.10 | $24.58 |
| Yearly | $33,541 | $41,792 | $51,143 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $16.92 | $20.34 | $30.53 |
| Yearly | $35,194 | $42,303 | $63,509 | |
| McHenry County | Hourly | $15.74 | $20.10 | $25.11 |
| Yearly | $32,741 | $41,792 | $52,239 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $18.50 | $24.68 | $30.65 |
| Yearly | $38,482 | $51,333 | $63,763 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $16.92 | $22.31 | $30.39 |
| Yearly | $35,192 | $46,414 | $63,205 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $20.56 | $23.27 | $28.19 |
| Yearly | $42,772 | $48,411 | $58,631 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $13.82 | $18.11 | $21.13 |
| Yearly | $28,744 | $37,675 | $43,958 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $19.68 | $25.98 | $26.51 |
| Yearly | $40,930 | $54,036 | $55,148 | |
| Shawnee National Forest Area | Hourly | $18.45 | $23.67 | $29.98 |
| Yearly | $38,368 | $49,227 | $62,353 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $22.31 | $25.84 | $30.54 |
| Yearly | $46,414 | $53,740 | $63,523 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $18.36 | $27.56 | $31.22 |
| Yearly | $38,198 | $57,319 | $64,942 | |
| United States | Hourly | $19.49 | $24.94 | $30.68 |
| Yearly | $40,540 | $51,880 | $63,810 | |