Forester Salary
Foresters manage forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes.
Forester Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level foresters earn around $44,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $65,000. Senior-level foresters can earn $95,000 or more.
Build Wealth on Your Income
With a $63,790 income, financial advisors recommend investing 15–20% annually. Start building a diversified portfolio with as little as $10.
See Investment Options →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for foresters varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $42,000, while the top 10% earn $102,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $63,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,000 |
Forester Salary by State
Forester salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $108,443, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $52,946.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $108,443 | Details → |
| #2 California | $88,030 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $86,117 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $79,100 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $77,824 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $73,359 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $73,359 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $71,445 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $70,169 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $70,169 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $66,980 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $66,980 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $66,980 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $66,342 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $64,428 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $64,428 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $62,514 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $62,514 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $61,876 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $61,876 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $61,876 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $61,876 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $61,238 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $60,601 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $60,601 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $59,963 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $59,325 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $59,325 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $58,687 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $58,687 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $58,687 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $58,687 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $58,049 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $57,411 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $57,411 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $57,411 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $57,411 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $57,411 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $56,773 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $56,773 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $56,773 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $56,135 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $56,135 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $55,497 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $55,497 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $55,497 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $54,859 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $53,584 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $53,584 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $52,946 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Foresters who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $31,210 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Develop forest management plans
- ● Monitor timber growth
- ● Conduct forest inventories
- ● Manage wildfire prevention
- ● Ensure environmental compliance
Top Skills
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 3% growth over the next decade
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