Abstract: Based on the micro-survey data of 6 352 households in key state-owned forest areas from 2020 to 2022, this study explored the impact of education level on household savings choices under the control of different family member characteristics and economic characteristics. The results show that: when only considering the characteristics of family members, household savings increase with the improvement of education level; when only considering the economic characteristics of the family, the relationship is just the opposite; if the dual control is carried out, the overall performance is that the education level of the forest area has a significant negative effect on household savings, that is, the economic characteristics have a far greater impact than the member characteristics, and there is an internal logic of “profit-seeking”. Therefore, it is suggested that forest industry enterprises and local governments should strengthen the strategic cooperation between government and schools while fully guaranteeing the quality of primary and secondary education in forest areas, so as to realize the directional training of “three high” talents; It should promote the development of under-forest management and forestry tertiary industry, provide more employment opportunities, improve the overall economic income of forest families, and optimize the medical conditions and social welfare level of forest areas, so as to truly increase income and reduce burden.