Foresters
Foresters (SOC 19-1032) earn a median $76,400 a year ($36.73 an hour) in the United States, with 10,430 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is California.
What foresters do
Foresters manage forested land, public and private, for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. Typical tasks include setting short- and long-term plans for the use of forest lands and resources, carrying out projects that protect wildlife habitat and the quality of soil and water, and monitoring contract compliance and the results of forestry activities to confirm that they follow government regulations and agreements. Foresters inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, estimate its value, and negotiate the terms of harvesting, management, and purchase contracts. They may also devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and plan cutting programs that remove timber with minimal waste and environmental damage. The occupation differs from conservation scientists, who work more broadly on soil and rangeland, and from forest and conservation workers or logging workers, who do the physical fieldwork. Inspecting forests and forest nurseries and mapping soils and vegetation to estimate the amount and future value of standing timber are further parts of the work.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most commonly reported education level is a bachelor's degree.
Also called: District Forester, Area Forester, Consulting Utility Forester, Environmental Protection Forester, Debris Monitor.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $24.42 | $30.15 | $36.73 | $44.06 | $52.74 | $38.06 | 10,430 |
| Annual | $50,790 | $62,710 | $76,400 | $91,640 | $109,700 | $79,170 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where foresters earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $34.19 | $43.83 | $51.50 | $62.71 | $75.36 | $53.25 | 820 | 0.05 | 0.67 |
| Annual | $71,110 | $91,170 | $107,120 | $130,430 | $156,750 | $110,770 | ||||
| Massachusetts | Hourly | $30.34 | $35.90 | $43.10 | $47.48 | $50.65 | $41.36 | 130 | 0.04 | 0.54 |
| Annual | $63,110 | $74,680 | $89,650 | $98,760 | $105,350 | $86,020 | ||||
| Alaska | Hourly | $29.73 | $35.57 | $41.93 | $47.32 | $50.33 | $41.38 | 80 | 0.26 | 3.85 |
| Annual | $61,840 | $73,990 | $87,210 | $98,420 | $104,680 | $86,060 | ||||
| South Carolina | Hourly | $28.52 | $31.28 | $41.72 | $46.93 | $49.36 | $40.57 | 250 | 0.11 | 1.61 |
| Annual | $59,310 | $65,060 | $86,780 | $97,610 | $102,670 | $84,380 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $17.30 | $29.93 | $41.40 | $45.75 | $52.65 | $38.56 | 120 | 0.04 | 0.63 |
| Annual | $35,970 | $62,260 | $86,100 | $95,150 | $109,500 | $80,200 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington | Hourly | $28.77 | $32.34 | $37.72 | $49.88 | $57.37 | $40.65 | 950 | 0.27 | 4.00 |
| Annual | $59,830 | $67,270 | $78,460 | $103,760 | $119,320 | $84,550 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $34.19 | $43.83 | $51.50 | $62.71 | $75.36 | $53.25 | 820 | 0.05 | 0.67 |
| Annual | $71,110 | $91,170 | $107,120 | $130,430 | $156,750 | $110,770 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $29.13 | $32.29 | $39.16 | $45.02 | $51.53 | $39.46 | 670 | 0.34 | 5.06 |
| Annual | $60,600 | $67,170 | $81,450 | $93,640 | $107,170 | $82,070 | ||||
| Wisconsin | Hourly | $23.45 | $29.27 | $31.73 | $37.92 | $42.35 | $32.80 | 570 | 0.19 | 2.89 |
| Annual | $48,780 | $60,880 | $66,010 | $78,880 | $88,090 | $68,220 | ||||
| Minnesota | Hourly | $27.84 | $32.39 | $36.78 | $42.31 | $50.52 | $38.26 | 390 | 0.13 | 1.97 |
| Annual | $57,910 | $67,370 | $76,490 | $88,000 | $105,080 | $79,580 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $47.32 | $49.36 | $54.11 | $62.71 | $77.95 | $57.26 | 70 | 0.03 | 0.46 |
| Annual | $98,420 | $102,660 | $112,560 | $130,430 | $162,130 | $119,110 | ||||
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | Hourly | $41.63 | $45.97 | $51.80 | $66.91 | $79.49 | $57.00 | 110 | 0.10 | 1.49 |
| Annual | $86,590 | $95,620 | $107,750 | $139,180 | $165,340 | $118,560 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $43.40 | $48.89 | $51.77 | $64.36 | $78.68 | $57.22 | 110 | 0.02 | 0.25 |
| Annual | $90,270 | $101,690 | $107,690 | $133,880 | $163,650 | $119,020 | ||||
| Fresno, CA | Hourly | $31.49 | $45.92 | $49.30 | $61.27 | $67.94 | $51.36 | 30 | 0.07 | 1.09 |
| Annual | $65,500 | $95,510 | $102,540 | $127,440 | $141,300 | $106,830 | ||||
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | Hourly | $35.16 | $40.80 | $44.88 | $52.22 | $63.32 | $47.15 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.35 |
| Annual | $73,140 | $84,870 | $93,340 | $108,610 | $131,710 | $98,060 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $34.88 | $35.92 | $35.92 | $45.75 | $52.65 | $41.02 | 280 | 0.09 | 1.32 |
| Annual | $72,560 | $74,700 | $74,710 | $95,150 | $109,500 | $85,330 | ||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $32.34 | $32.34 | $41.50 | $57.37 | $60.62 | $44.95 | 240 | 0.12 | 1.74 |
| Annual | $67,270 | $67,270 | $86,310 | $119,320 | $126,080 | $93,500 | ||||
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Hourly | $30.83 | $35.45 | $43.16 | $48.98 | $54.03 | $42.89 | 180 | 0.15 | 2.18 |
| Annual | $64,130 | $73,740 | $89,780 | $101,870 | $112,390 | $89,200 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $28.95 | $32.19 | $41.16 | $51.63 | $57.89 | $41.87 | 130 | 0.03 | 0.43 |
| Annual | $60,210 | $66,950 | $85,610 | $107,390 | $120,410 | $87,080 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $43.40 | $48.89 | $51.77 | $64.36 | $78.68 | $57.22 | 110 | 0.02 | 0.25 |
| Annual | $90,270 | $101,690 | $107,690 | $133,880 | $163,650 | $119,020 | ||||
Top industries employing foresters
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) employ 32.6% of foresters nationally (3,400 jobs) at a median $69,620 a year ($33.47 an hour), followed by Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) (13.3%) and Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) (12.9%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999200 | 3,400 | 32.6% | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999100 | 1,390 | 13.3% | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 1,350 | 12.9% | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Logging NAICS 113300 | 650 | 6.2% | $79,980 | $38.45 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services NAICS 541600 | 560 | 5.4% | $55,750 | $26.80 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (10,430). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $64,110 for foresters in May 2021 and $76,400 in May 2025, with employment of 9,500 and 10,430.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $64,110 | $30.82 | 9,500 |
| May 2022 | $64,220 | $30.87 | 9,430 |
| May 2023 | $67,330 | $32.37 | 9,450 |
| May 2024 | $70,660 | $33.97 | 9,650 |
| May 2025 | $76,400 | $36.73 | 10,430 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
45 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California profile | $51.50 | $107,120 | $71,110 | $156,750 | 820 | 0.05 | 0.67 |
| 2 | Massachusetts profile | $43.10 | $89,650 | $63,110 | $105,350 | 130 | 0.04 | 0.54 |
| 3 | Alaska profile | $41.93 | $87,210 | $61,840 | $104,680 | 80 | 0.26 | 3.85 |
| 4 | South Carolina profile | $41.72 | $86,780 | $59,310 | $102,670 | 250 | 0.11 | 1.61 |
| 5 | Maryland profile | $41.40 | $86,100 | $35,970 | $109,500 | 120 | 0.04 | 0.63 |
| 6 | Connecticut profile | $40.78 | $84,820 | $71,400 | $98,730 | 60 | 0.04 | 0.53 |
| 7 | Iowa profile | $39.91 | $83,000 | $68,470 | $104,720 | 50 | 0.03 | 0.51 |
| 8 | Illinois profile | $39.50 | $82,160 | $60,230 | $120,150 | 220 | 0.04 | 0.55 |
| 9 | Oregon profile | $39.16 | $81,450 | $60,600 | $107,170 | 670 | 0.34 | 5.06 |
| 10 | Vermont profile | $38.82 | $80,750 | $61,400 | $100,930 | 80 | 0.27 | 4.09 |
| 11 | Texas profile | $38.64 | $80,370 | $60,590 | $101,980 | 210 | 0.02 | 0.22 |
| 12 | Alabama profile | $38.24 | $79,530 | $50,240 | $95,400 | 240 | 0.11 | 1.70 |
| 13 | Washington profile | $37.72 | $78,460 | $59,830 | $119,320 | 950 | 0.27 | 4.00 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania profile | $37.64 | $78,280 | $47,590 | $111,970 | 310 | 0.05 | 0.77 |
| 15 | North Carolina profile | $37.44 | $77,870 | $46,800 | $96,900 | ** | ** | ** |
| 16 | Georgia profile | $37.01 | $76,970 | $31,460 | $109,700 | 370 | 0.08 | 1.11 |
| 17 | Minnesota profile | $36.78 | $76,490 | $57,910 | $105,080 | 390 | 0.13 | 1.97 |
| 18 | Colorado profile | $36.73 | $76,400 | $52,090 | $97,410 | 210 | 0.07 | 1.07 |
| 19 | Michigan profile | $36.50 | $75,920 | $57,620 | $98,570 | 340 | 0.08 | 1.15 |
| 20 | Utah profile | $36.16 | $75,210 | $61,590 | $94,560 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.35 |
| 21 | District of Columbia profile | $35.92 | $74,710 | $74,700 | $103,330 | ** | ** | ** |
| 22 | New York profile | $35.44 | $73,710 | $58,240 | $108,580 | 280 | 0.03 | 0.43 |
| 23 | Ohio profile | $35.25 | $73,320 | $53,270 | $96,260 | 160 | 0.03 | 0.44 |
| 24 | Tennessee profile | $34.61 | $71,990 | $56,950 | $91,870 | 120 | 0.04 | 0.56 |
| 25 | Virginia profile | $34.61 | $71,990 | $47,200 | $100,610 | 340 | 0.08 | 1.24 |
| 26 | Mississippi profile | $34.27 | $71,280 | $44,520 | $134,980 | 110 | 0.09 | 1.41 |
| 27 | Arkansas profile | $33.29 | $69,240 | $47,750 | $91,170 | 130 | 0.10 | 1.49 |
| 28 | New Mexico profile | $33.29 | $69,240 | $57,910 | $87,190 | 50 | 0.06 | 0.85 |
| 29 | Wyoming profile | $32.78 | $68,180 | $61,110 | $88,880 | 60 | 0.21 | 3.09 |
| 30 | Kansas profile | $32.47 | $67,540 | $57,240 | $87,230 | 40 | 0.03 | 0.42 |
| 31 | Arizona profile | $32.31 | $67,200 | $49,940 | $88,710 | 70 | 0.02 | 0.32 |
| 32 | Montana profile | $32.31 | $67,200 | $50,900 | $86,260 | 240 | 0.47 | 6.95 |
| 33 | Maine profile | $31.96 | $66,480 | $54,070 | $87,810 | 70 | 0.12 | 1.71 |
| 34 | Wisconsin profile | $31.73 | $66,010 | $48,780 | $88,090 | 570 | 0.19 | 2.89 |
| 35 | Idaho profile | $31.33 | $65,170 | $48,110 | $80,770 | 280 | 0.33 | 4.92 |
| 36 | New Hampshire profile | $31.33 | $65,170 | $46,800 | $97,670 | 110 | 0.17 | 2.46 |
| 37 | South Dakota profile | $30.99 | $64,460 | $50,110 | $80,700 | 120 | 0.26 | 3.89 |
| 38 | Florida profile | $30.83 | $64,130 | $49,920 | $112,660 | 380 | 0.04 | 0.57 |
| 39 | Missouri profile | $30.39 | $63,220 | $48,240 | $86,630 | 120 | 0.04 | 0.61 |
| 40 | West Virginia profile | $30.07 | $62,550 | $40,910 | $86,820 | 100 | 0.15 | 2.15 |
| 41 | Indiana profile | $29.38 | $61,110 | $48,150 | $97,020 | 160 | 0.05 | 0.76 |
| 42 | Kentucky profile | $27.15 | $56,460 | $49,940 | $88,710 | 120 | 0.06 | 0.87 |
| 43 | Nevada profile | $24.55 | $51,070 | $47,340 | $93,360 | ** | ** | ** |
| 44 | Oklahoma profile | $24.52 | $50,990 | $48,280 | $102,300 | 120 | 0.07 | 1.06 |
| – | Louisiana profile | * | * | * | * | 130 | 0.07 | 1.04 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (19-1030), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 19-1032 Foresters.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 19-1032, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 19-1032.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.