How much does a forester make?
The median forester in the United States earns $76,400 per year, about $36.73 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all foresters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-1032.
Forester salary range
Pay for foresters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $50,790 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $109,700. The average (mean) wage of $79,170 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,790 | $24.42 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $62,710 | $30.15 | |
| Median (50th) | $76,400 | $36.73 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $91,640 | $44.06 | |
| 90th percentile | $109,700 | $52.74 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for foresters (SOC 19-1032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Forester salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Foresters earn the most in California at $107,120 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $50,990. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $107,120 | 820 |
| Massachusetts | $89,650 | 130 |
| Alaska | $87,210 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $86,780 | 250 |
| Maryland | $86,100 | 120 |
| Connecticut | $84,820 | 60 |
| Iowa | $83,000 | 50 |
| Illinois | $82,160 | 220 |
| Oregon | $81,450 | 670 |
| Vermont | $80,750 | 80 |
| Texas | $80,370 | 210 |
| Alabama | $79,530 | 240 |
| Washington | $78,460 | 950 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,280 | 310 |
| North Carolina | $77,870 | N/A |
| Georgia | $76,970 | 370 |
| Minnesota | $76,490 | 390 |
| Colorado | $76,400 | 210 |
| Michigan | $75,920 | 340 |
| Utah | $75,210 | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $74,710 | N/A |
| New York | $73,710 | 280 |
| Ohio | $73,320 | 160 |
| Tennessee | $71,990 | 120 |
| Virginia | $71,990 | 340 |
| Mississippi | $71,280 | 110 |
| Arkansas | $69,240 | 130 |
| New Mexico | $69,240 | 50 |
| Wyoming | $68,180 | 60 |
| Kansas | $67,540 | 40 |
| Arizona | $67,200 | 70 |
| Montana | $67,200 | 240 |
| Maine | $66,480 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $66,010 | 570 |
| Idaho | $65,170 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $65,170 | 110 |
| South Dakota | $64,460 | 120 |
| Florida | $64,130 | 380 |
| Missouri | $63,220 | 120 |
| West Virginia | $62,550 | 100 |
| Indiana | $61,110 | 160 |
| Kentucky | $56,460 | 120 |
| Nevada | $51,070 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $50,990 | 120 |
State median wages for foresters (SOC 19-1032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for foresters
The BLS projects employment of foresters to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 13,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 13,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 900 openings a year for foresters. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a forester
The typical entry-level education for foresters is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a forester earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $107,120) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $50,990) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 10,430 people work as foresters in the United States. At $76,400 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Forester salary FAQ
How much does a forester make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a forester is $36.73. The middle half of foresters earn between $30.15 and $44.06 per hour.
What is the highest forester salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of foresters earn more than $109,700 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a forester make a year?
The median annual salary for a forester is $76,400. The average (mean) wage of $79,170 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a forester a well paid job?
At $76,400 a year, a forester earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 10,430 people work as foresters in the United States.
Which state pays foresters the most?
California has the highest median salary for foresters at $107,120 a year. Massachusetts ($89,650) and Alaska ($87,210) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a forester a good career?
Employment of foresters is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a forester?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for foresters as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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