How Much Does a Forester Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$76,400
Foresters in the U.S. earn a median of $76,400 a year, or $36.73 an hour. Half of foresters earn more than $76,400 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $109,700.
Pay percentiles for foresters
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24.42 | $50,790 |
| 25th | $30.15 | $62,710 |
| 50th (median) | $36.73 | $76,400 |
| 75th | $44.06 | $91,640 |
| 90th | $52.74 | $109,700 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Foresters (SOC 19-1032). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for foresters
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $107,120 | $51.50 | +40% |
| Massachusetts | $89,650 | $43.10 | +17% |
| Alaska | $87,210 | $41.93 | +14% |
| South Carolina | $86,780 | $41.72 | +14% |
| Maryland | $86,100 | $41.40 | +13% |
| Connecticut | $84,820 | $40.78 | +11% |
| Iowa | $83,000 | $39.91 | +9% |
| Illinois | $82,160 | $39.50 | +8% |
| Oregon | $81,450 | $39.16 | +7% |
| Vermont | $80,750 | $38.82 | +6% |
| United States | $76,400 | $36.73 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many foresters are there?
BLS counts about 10,430 foresters employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in Washington (950), California (820) and Oregon (670).
The mean (average) annual wage is $79,170, higher than the median of $76,400.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,367
- Biweekly
- $2,938
- Weekly
- $1,469
- Daily (8 hours)
- $294
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do foresters make an hour?
The median hourly wage for foresters is $36.73. The middle 50% earn between $30.15 and $44.06 an hour.
Which state pays foresters the most?
California has the highest median wage for foresters at $107,120, +40% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for foresters?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of foresters earn less than $50,790 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.