A tree doctor at work. [Korea Forest Service]
A tree doctor at work. [Korea Forest Service]

Interest in national forestry and plant-protection licenses is growing among middle-aged and older workers preparing for post-retirement careers, even as the latest "tree doctor" licensing exam recorded a final pass rate of just 23 percent. Entry-level tree doctors earn at least 2.8 million won ($2,070) a month, and some employers — particularly those hiring experienced professionals — offer up to 5 million won. The trend has driven a growing number of workers in their 50s and older to pursue forestry and plant-protection credentials with an eye toward reemployment after retirement.

The Korea Forest Disaster Safety Technology Institute announced Tuesday that 163 candidates passed the 12th tree doctor licensing exam. Of the 708 people who sat the second-stage test, 23.0 percent passed.

The tree doctor licensing exam has been administered since June 28, 2018, following amendments to relevant laws aimed at establishing a professional tree-care system.

Holders of the national license diagnose and prescribe treatments for tree damage and work as specialists in tree-care services to prevent or treat such damage. They are employed across everyday settings including apartment complexes, parks, schools and street-tree management sites.

Including this round's successful candidates, the cumulative number of people who have passed since the tree doctor licensing system was introduced stands at 1,900.

Under the Forest Protection Act, the Korea Forest Service and local governments generally require that tree-care work be carried out only by registered "tree hospitals" staffed with licensed tree doctors or tree-treatment technicians. Exceptions apply when national or local governments conduct forest pest-control projects, or when governments or tree owners perform tree care directly.

Salary levels advertised in the job market for tree doctors have also drawn considerable attention.

An analysis of job postings on the government's employment portal Go-Yong 24 shows that advertised salaries for entry-level tree doctors this year range from 2.8 million won to more than 3.2 million won a month.

Some employers hiring experienced workers or on-site supervisors offer between 3 million won and 5 million won a month.

Actual take-home pay varies, however, depending on seasonal workloads, individual experience and the specific duties involved.


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com