Forest and Conservation Workers salary in California
Forest and Conservation Workers in California earn a median of $43,680 a year ($21.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,760 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $43,680. California ranks 11th of 27 states for forest and conservation workers pay. There are 0.12 forest and conservation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,980, close to the median.
Pay range for forest and conservation workers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| 25th percentile | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Median | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| 75th percentile | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Average (mean) | $42,980 | $20.67 |
Half of forest and conservation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,640 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,820 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,680 |
| Weekly | $840 |
| Hourly | $21.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forest and Conservation Workers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $43,680 | 370 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $43,680 | 180 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,680 | 110 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $43,680 | 330 |
| Salinas, CA | $43,680 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $43,680 | 140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $36,080 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for forest and conservation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Idaho | $59,460 |
| Hawaii | $56,330 |
| Virginia | $54,560 |
| Massachusetts | $51,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,250 |
| Ohio | $48,470 |
| Arkansas | $47,310 |
| Oregon | $46,010 |
| Washington | $44,430 |
| South Carolina | $44,050 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Logging Equipment Operator | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $56,670 | $27.24 |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Faller | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $56,280 | $27.06 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,640 | $18.58 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $53,090 | $25.52 |
| Animal Breeder | $59,280 | $28.50 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-4011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forest and conservation workers make in California?
The median salary for forest and conservation workers in California is $43,680 a year, or $21.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forest and conservation workers make in California?
The top 10% of forest and conservation workers in California earn at least $45,760 a year. The top 25% earn $43,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for forest and conservation workers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,080 a year, and a quarter of forest and conservation workers earn $43,680 or less.
How many forest and conservation workers work in California?
About 2,270 forest and conservation workers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.