by our College Data Analytics TeamForests are an essential natural resource. They provide us with the timber to create different products, are habitats for many animals, and produce necessary nutrients and oxygen for our ecosystem. It is the job of Forest Engineers to ensure this important resource remains intact while designing and managing projects such as forest management, logging operations, and building roads or structures.
Forest Engineering students take classes to learn how to create equipment that will help with timber production, surveying, and other forestry related activities. These classes cover topics such as civil engineering, engineering design, physics, surveying, and calculus. In order to understand the impact these projects have on forests, students also take additional classes in forestry, ecology, and environmental science.
A degree in Forest Engineering covers Forest Engineering. Read on to learn the essential details every forest engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering forest engineering programs.
Across the country, forest engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 42 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Forest Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for forest engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of forest engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in Forest Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations forest engineering graduates commonly enter.
As with other engineering majors, students should have a strong background in math and science. Forest Engineering is rooted in civil and mechanical engineering making analytical and critical thinking skills necessary, as well a proficiency in computer-aided design. Students will learn how to handle multiple projects and lead a team of fellow professionals. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with help you work effectively with others as well as communicate with the general public about project plans and their expected impact.
Forest Engineering graduates can expect to work full time, often in an office setting. However, frequent visits to project locations will be important when surveying the ground to plan and to ensure the project is moving along on schedule.
When looking for new hires, employers place an emphasis on previous experience, making internships, summer jobs, or participation in cooperative engineering programs beneficial to students. While this career is based in engineering, work with places such as the U.S. National Park Service will also provide you with valuable experience and knowledge in forestry.
Skills built by a forest engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a forest engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several forest engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 42 |
People currently working in careers related to forest engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 30.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in forest engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Many Forest Engineering graduates find jobs with organizations such as the U.S. Forestry Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Department of Environmental Conservation. However, others have gone to work for companies that specialize in housing developments, road and highway construction, or logging. This degree provides students with the skills to go into any engineering occupation that deals with forestry.
With the increasing desire to preserve natural resources, Forest Engineering graduates are in demand. Students should not have a difficult time finding a job after graduation.
Majoring in forest engineering prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to forest engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to forest engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of forest engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $51,279 |
| 4 years | $68,687 |
| 5 years | $78,198 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for forest engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers forest engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Photonics Engineers | $84,667 |
With 1 different forest engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased forest engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in forest engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Forest Engineering | 42 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
