Foresters Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for foresters in the United States was $76,400 ($36.73 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| 25th | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Median | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| 75th | $91,640 | $44.06 |
| 90th | $109,700 | $52.74 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 19-1032
- Total U.S. employment: 10,430
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
The numbers in context
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $50,790, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $109,700 — a 2.2x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Foresters Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $79,530 | $38.24 | +4.1% | 240 |
| Alaska | $87,210 | $41.93 | +14.1% | 80 |
| Arizona | $67,200 | $32.31 | -12.0% | 70 |
| Arkansas | $69,240 | $33.29 | -9.4% | 130 |
| California | $107,120 | $51.50 | +40.2% | 820 |
| Colorado | $76,400 | $36.73 | 0.0% | 210 |
| Connecticut | $84,820 | $40.78 | +11.0% | 60 |
| District of Columbia | $74,710 | $35.92 | -2.2% | 0 |
| Florida | $64,130 | $30.83 | -16.1% | 380 |
| Georgia | $76,970 | $37.01 | +0.7% | 370 |
| Idaho | $65,170 | $31.33 | -14.7% | 280 |
| Illinois | $82,160 | $39.50 | +7.5% | 220 |
| Indiana | $61,110 | $29.38 | -20.0% | 160 |
| Iowa | $83,000 | $39.91 | +8.6% | 50 |
| Kansas | $67,540 | $32.47 | -11.6% | 40 |
| Kentucky | $56,460 | $27.15 | -26.1% | 120 |
| Louisiana | — | — | — | 130 |
| Maine | $66,480 | $31.96 | -13.0% | 70 |
| Maryland | $86,100 | $41.40 | +12.7% | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $89,650 | $43.10 | +17.3% | 130 |
| Michigan | $75,920 | $36.50 | -0.6% | 340 |
| Minnesota | $76,490 | $36.78 | +0.1% | 390 |
| Mississippi | $71,280 | $34.27 | -6.7% | 110 |
| Missouri | $63,220 | $30.39 | -17.3% | 120 |
| Montana | $67,200 | $32.31 | -12.0% | 240 |
| Nevada | $51,070 | $24.55 | -33.2% | 0 |
| New Hampshire | $65,170 | $31.33 | -14.7% | 110 |
| New Mexico | $69,240 | $33.29 | -9.4% | 50 |
| New York | $73,710 | $35.44 | -3.5% | 280 |
| North Carolina | $77,870 | $37.44 | +1.9% | 0 |
| Ohio | $73,320 | $35.25 | -4.0% | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $50,990 | $24.52 | -33.3% | 120 |
| Oregon | $81,450 | $39.16 | +6.6% | 670 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,280 | $37.64 | +2.5% | 310 |
| South Carolina | $86,780 | $41.72 | +13.6% | 250 |
| South Dakota | $64,460 | $30.99 | -15.6% | 120 |
| Tennessee | $71,990 | $34.61 | -5.8% | 120 |
| Texas | $80,370 | $38.64 | +5.2% | 210 |
| Utah | $75,210 | $36.16 | -1.6% | 40 |
| Vermont | $80,750 | $38.82 | +5.7% | 80 |
| Virginia | $71,990 | $34.61 | -5.8% | 340 |
| Washington | $78,460 | $37.72 | +2.7% | 950 |
| West Virginia | $62,550 | $30.07 | -18.1% | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $66,010 | $31.73 | -13.6% | 570 |
| Wyoming | $68,180 | $32.78 | -10.8% | 60 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses — $64,400/yr
- Cooks, Fast Food — $30,890/yr
- Sales Managers — $148,270/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $62,890/yr
- Managers, All Other — $141,900/yr
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $64,370/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for foresters?
The median annual wage for foresters is $76,400 ($36.73 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays foresters the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many foresters are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 10,430 foresters employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do foresters make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $36.73. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.