Agriculture & Environment Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Forester Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median forester salary in Great Falls, MT is $56,135 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$56,135
vs State Avg
$-4,466
vs National
$-7,655
Cost of Living
88%

Forester Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median forester salary of $56,135, which is $4,466 below the Montana state average of $60,601. Compared to the national median of $63,790, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $56,135 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $63,790 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for foresters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for foresters in Great Falls spans from $36,960 at the 10th percentile to $89,760 at the 90th percentile — a $52,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $38,720, while senior foresters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $83,600. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Forester Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level forester earns around $38,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $83,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$38,720
$-5,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$57,200
$-7,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$83,600
$-11,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $36,960
25th Percentile $44,880
Median (50th) $56,135
75th Percentile $72,160
90th Percentile $89,760

Forester Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$73,359
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$65,066
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$61,238
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$59,963
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Forester in Great Falls

Education

Most forester positions require a bachelor's degree. Great Falls and the surrounding Montana 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 Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Forester Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open forester positions in Great Falls, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Forester Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Forester make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median forester salary in Great Falls, Montana is $56,135 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $63,790. Salaries range from $36,960 (10th percentile) to $89,760 (90th percentile).
How much does a Forester make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $56,135, a forester in Great Falls earns approximately $27 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for forester pay? ▼
Great Falls's median forester salary of $56,135 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $60,601. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a forester salary of $56,135 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a forester in Great Falls? ▼
Most forester positions in Great Falls require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Forest Management, GIS/GPS, Timber Cruising, Ecology. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.