by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Wood Science & Wood Products/Pulp & Paper Technology explores Wood Science And Wood Products/pulp And Paper Technology/technician. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Chemical, Physical, And Engineering Principles To The Analysis Of The Properties And Behavior Of Wood And Wood Products And The Development Of Processes For Converting Wood Into Paper And Other Products. Includes Instruction In Wood Classification And Testing, Product Development, Manufacturing And Processing Technologies, And The Design And Development Of Related Equipment And Systems. Continue reading for the key facts every wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology programs.
Across the country, wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology draws strong interest, with 95 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Wood Science & Wood Products/Pulp & Paper Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Wood Science & Wood Products/Pulp & Paper Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 70 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 12 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 52.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 18.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.2% |
| Master’s degree | 12.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Foresters | 93,289 | 5.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,042 |
| 4 years | $52,066 |
| 5 years | $60,484 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Foresters | $93,406 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,966 |
With 5 different wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology school rankings to help you.
Those considering wood science & wood products/pulp & paper technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Forestry, General | 1,181 |
| Forest Sciences and Biology | 393 |
| Forest Technology/Technician | 327 |
| Forest Management/Forest Resources Management | 252 |
| Urban Forestry | 89 |
| Forestry, Other | 75 |
| Forest Resources Production and Management | 48 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
