The best source of information on the population status of Pine Grosbeak is the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Although the northernmost portion of its range is poorly covered, and there is high variation due to the Pine Grosbeak's irruptive nature, overall long-term reliability of the CBC is considered medium, and better than all other available data sources. CBC data indicate a moderate increase in abundance of over 80% since the early 1970s, although estimates from the early decades had high levels of uncertainty. Trends vary highly at a regional scale, but reliability is generally low, reflecting the complication of assessing population change in a highly nomadic species.

The goal for Pine Grosbeak is to remain at or above its recent population level, based on the Christmas Bird Count. Trend data show that Pine Grosbeak is currently within its goal range.