Silviculture and Forestry Workers

(NOC 8422)

in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Silviculture and forestry workers complete a variety of duties related to reforestation and to the management, improvement, and conservation of forest lands. They work for logging companies, contractors, and government services.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

  • Estimate 415 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1430 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$20.50

Median

$29.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$5,619

Minimum

$20,802

Median

$51,173

Maximum

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$18.00

Median

$30.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$4,009

Minimum

$23,520

Median

$87,170

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Silviculture and forestry workers complete a variety of duties related to reforestation and to the management, improvement, and conservation of forest lands. They work for logging companies, contractors, and government services.

Job duties

Silviculture and forestry workers:

  • Assess site, select seedlings and plant trees using manual planting tools in reforestation areas.
  • Use power thinning saw to thin and space trees in reforestation areas.
  • Use chain saw to thin young forest stands.
  • Control weeds and undergrowth in regenerating forest stands using manual tools and chemicals.
  • Complete firefighting reports and maintain firefighting equipment.
  • Dig trenches, cut trees, pump water on burning areas to fight forest fires under direction of fire suppression officer or forestry technician.
  • Use and maintain a skidder, bulldozer, or other prime mover to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation equipment over areas to be regenerated.
  • Complete other silviculture duties like collecting seed cones, pruning trees, helping in planting surveys and marking trees for later operations.

Sample job titles

  • clearing saw operator - forestry
  • fire crewperson
  • forest firefighter
  • forestry conservation worker
  • forestry crewperson
  • forestry worker - logging
  • silviculture worker
  • tree pruner - forestry

Skills

  • You should enjoy working outdoors and be prepared to spend time in isolated areas. You must be able to work alone and as part of a team. An awareness of safety is important. Physical stamina may also be needed.

Job requirements

  • High school may be required.
  • A college or other specialized program for silviculture workers or forestry crew workers may be required.
  • Formal training in power saw operation and maintenance and several months of on-the-job training are usually provided.
  • A chemicals application licence is required.
  • Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) and transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) certificates may be required.
  • A silvicultural worker's licence may be required.

Other considerations

  • Workers usually only work part of the year with employment peaking in the summer months. Experience as a logging and forestry labourer may be required. There is some mobility among jobs in this group. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience while progression to forestry technician or technologist is possible with additional education and training.

By the numbers

Quick look

305

employed in 2016

77.0%

employed full-time

4.9%

self employed

11.5%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
88.5%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
N/A

median age

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

14,665

employed in 2016

78.0%

employed full-time

20.0%

self employed

15.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
84.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.6

median age

Where will I likely work?

48.3%

North Shore

$20,449 median annual income
21.7%

Southern

$22,504 median annual income
15.0%

Cape Breton

$17,421 median annual income
8.3%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
6.7%

Halifax

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

51.3%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

33.3%

Public administration

5.1%

Manufacturing

5.1%

Retail trade

5.1%

Real estate and rental and leasing

Top levels of education

30.6%

Less than high school

$17,117 median annual income
27.4%

High school

$21,132 median annual income
22.6%

College Diploma

$28,379 median annual income
8.1%

Bachelor

N/A
8.1%

Trade Certification

N/A

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

35.7%

Less than high school

$23,463 median annual income
30.8%

High school

$19,301 median annual income
13.7%

College Diploma

$29,551 median annual income
13.4%

Trade Certification

$31,535 median annual income
4.4%

Bachelor

$17,956 median annual income

Education & training

Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using indoor and outdoor environmental pollution control systems. They include courses in environmental safety principles, testing and sampling procedures, laboratory techniques, instrumentation calibration, safety and protection procedures, equipment maintenance, and report preparation.

Institutions providing this program

Maritime Environmental Training Institute

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Natural Resources Management and Policy

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. They include courses in the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture

Truro, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Maritime College of Forest Technology
Fredericton, NB
Canadian Institute of Forestry - Nova Scotia
Mattawa, ON
Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia
Truro, NS
Forest Nova Scotia
Hildon, NS
Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Occupational Health and Safety Division
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.