Foresters
SOC code 19-1032 · O*NET-SOC 19-1032.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Foresters pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$76,400
a year
Hourly
$36.73
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$79,170
$38.06 per hour
Middle 50%
$62,710 – $91,640
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$50,790 – $109,700
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
10,430
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $50,790
- $24.42/hr
- 25th percentile
- $62,710
- $30.15/hr
- Median percentile
- $76,400
- $36.73/hr
- 75th percentile
- $91,640
- $44.06/hr
- 90th percentile
- $109,700
- $52.74/hr
What does a forester do?
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources.
- Plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals.
- Determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage.
- Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands.
- Perform inspections of forests or forest nurseries.
- Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
- Supervise activities of other forestry workers.
- Provide advice and recommendations, as a consultant on forestry issues, to private woodlot owners, firefighters, government agencies or to companies.
How to become a forester
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a forester earn?
The national median is $76,400 a year. The full range runs from $50,790 at the 10th percentile to $109,700 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a forester without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Writing3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Biology4.1/5
- Mathematics3.7/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Geography3.6/5
- Administration and Management3.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Law and Government3.3/5
- Administrative3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Systems Analysis.