Foresters Salary by State
The national median pay for foresters is $76,400 a year. By state, it ranges from $50,990 in Oklahoma to $107,120 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $50,790
- 25th percentile
- $62,710
- Median
- $76,400
- 75th percentile
- $91,640
- Top 10%
- $109,700
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 10,430 jobs.
Median pay in 43 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $107,120 | +40% | $71,110 | $156,750 | 820 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $89,650 | +17% | $63,110 | $105,350 | 130 |
| 3 | Alaska | $87,210 | +14% | $61,840 | $104,680 | 80 |
| 4 | South Carolina | $86,780 | +14% | $59,310 | $102,670 | 250 |
| 5 | Maryland | $86,100 | +13% | $35,970 | $109,500 | 120 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $84,820 | +11% | $71,400 | $98,730 | 60 |
| 7 | Iowa | $83,000 | +9% | $68,470 | $104,720 | 50 |
| 8 | Illinois | $82,160 | +8% | $60,230 | $120,150 | 220 |
| 9 | Oregon | $81,450 | +7% | $60,600 | $107,170 | 670 |
| 10 | Vermont | $80,750 | +6% | $61,400 | $100,930 | 80 |
| 11 | Texas | $80,370 | +5% | $60,590 | $101,980 | 210 |
| 12 | Alabama | $79,530 | +4% | $50,240 | $95,400 | 240 |
| 13 | Washington | $78,460 | +3% | $59,830 | $119,320 | 950 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $78,280 | +2% | $47,590 | $111,970 | 310 |
| 15 | North Carolina | $77,870 | +2% | $46,800 | $96,900 | Not published |
| 16 | Georgia | $76,970 | +1% | $31,460 | $109,700 | 370 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $76,490 | 0% | $57,910 | $105,080 | 390 |
| 18 | Colorado | $76,400 | 0% | $52,090 | $97,410 | 210 |
| 19 | Michigan | $75,920 | −1% | $57,620 | $98,570 | 340 |
| 20 | Utah | $75,210 | −2% | $61,590 | $94,560 | 40 |
| 21 | District of Columbia | $74,710 | −2% | $74,700 | $103,330 | Not published |
| 22 | New York | $73,710 | −4% | $58,240 | $108,580 | 280 |
| 23 | Ohio | $73,320 | −4% | $53,270 | $96,260 | 160 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $71,990 | −6% | $56,950 | $91,870 | 120 |
| 25 | Virginia | $71,990 | −6% | $47,200 | $100,610 | 340 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $71,280 | −7% | $44,520 | $134,980 | 110 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $69,240 | −9% | $47,750 | $91,170 | 130 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $69,240 | −9% | $57,910 | $87,190 | 50 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $68,180 | −11% | $61,110 | $88,880 | 60 |
| 30 | Kansas | $67,540 | −12% | $57,240 | $87,230 | 40 |
| 31 | Arizona | $67,200 | −12% | $49,940 | $88,710 | 70 |
| 32 | Montana | $67,200 | −12% | $50,900 | $86,260 | 240 |
| 33 | Maine | $66,480 | −13% | $54,070 | $87,810 | 70 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $66,010 | −14% | $48,780 | $88,090 | 570 |
| 35 | Idaho | $65,170 | −15% | $48,110 | $80,770 | 280 |
| 36 | New Hampshire | $65,170 | −15% | $46,800 | $97,670 | 110 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $64,460 | −16% | $50,110 | $80,700 | 120 |
| 38 | Florida | $64,130 | −16% | $49,920 | $112,660 | 380 |
| 39 | Missouri | $63,220 | −17% | $48,240 | $86,630 | 120 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $62,550 | −18% | $40,910 | $86,820 | 100 |
| 41 | Indiana | $61,110 | −20% | $48,150 | $97,020 | 160 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $56,460 | −26% | $49,940 | $88,710 | 120 |
| 43 | Nevada | $51,070 | −33% | $47,340 | $93,360 | Not published |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $50,990 | −33% | $48,280 | $102,300 | 120 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Foresters salary questions
Which state pays foresters the most?
California, with a median of $107,120 a year (+40% vs. the national median of $76,400). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays foresters the least?
Oklahoma, with a median of $50,990 a year (−33% vs. national).
Where do most foresters work?
Washington has the most jobs, about 950, with a median of $78,460.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.