Agriculture & Environment Columbia, MD Pop. 104,681

Forester Salary in Columbia, Maryland

The median forester salary in Columbia, MD is $75,272 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median and 7.3% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$75,272
vs State Avg
+$5,103
vs National
+$11,482
Cost of Living
118%

Forester Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level forester earns around $51,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $112,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$51,920
+$7,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$76,700
+$11,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$112,100
+$17,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MD

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $49,560
25th Percentile $60,180
Median (50th) $75,272
75th Percentile $96,760
90th Percentile $120,360

Forester Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$77,824
Pop. 81,015
Germantown, MD
$73,359
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$68,893
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$66,980
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Forester in Columbia

Education

Most forester positions require a bachelor's degree. Columbia and the surrounding Maryland area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Forest ManagementGIS/GPSTimber CruisingEcologyFire ManagementEnvironmental Law

Job Outlook

Nationally, forester employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.