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Wood Science and Technology Workers


Overview

Wood Science and Technology Workers

Introduction

Wood scientists and technologists experiment to find the most efficient ways of converting forest resources into useful products for consumers. Toward this end, they explore the physical, biological, and chemical properties of wood and the methods used in growing, processing, and using it. Wood science is conducted for both academic and industrial research and is carried out both in labs and on forest grounds.

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$53,848

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree


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Experience

On-the-job training or internship


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Skills

Information Management
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Personality Traits

Hands On
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Earnings

Salary levels in the wood sciences depend on the individual's employer, experience, level of education, and work performed. According to Salary.com, the average starting salary for wood technologists was $43,302 in October 2020. Salaries ranged from $38,769 to $53,848.

Engineers employed in wood product manufacturing earned mean annual salaries of $75,840 in May 2019, according to the U....

Work Environment

Depending on the type of work they perform, wood science specialists operate in a variety of settings, from the office to the open forest. Wood scientists and researchers work in laboratories and, if they are on university faculty, in classrooms. Their experimental work may take them to tree farms and forests. Wood technologists and technicians may work in offices, manufacturing plants, sawmill...

Outlook

Wood technology is a relatively new science, with breakthroughs in products and technology occurring frequently. It is also a field in which the supply of qualified wood scientists and technologists is short of the demand. Therefore, the employment outlook for workers in this field is expected to be very good. 

The demand for wood products is increasing rapidly. At the same time, the cos...