Forester salary in Alaska
Foresters in Alaska earn a median of $87,210 a year ($41.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,680 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $76,400. Alaska ranks 3rd of 44 states for foresters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.26 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,060, close to the median.
Pay range for foresters in Alaska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| 25th percentile | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| Median | $87,210 | $41.93 |
| 75th percentile | $98,420 | $47.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,680 | $50.33 |
| Average (mean) | $86,060 | $41.38 |
Half of foresters 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 | $7,267.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,633.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,354.23 |
| Weekly | $1,677.12 |
| Hourly | $41.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for foresters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $107,120 |
| Massachusetts | $89,650 |
| Alaska | $87,210 |
| South Carolina | $86,780 |
| Maryland | $86,100 |
| Connecticut | $84,820 |
| Iowa | $83,000 |
| Illinois | $82,160 |
| Oregon | $81,450 |
| Vermont | $80,750 |
Related jobs in Alaska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $106,870 | $51.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,260 | $38.10 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $104,930 | $50.45 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Microbiologist | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $100,320 | $48.23 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $91,960 | $44.21 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $68,160 | $32.77 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $107,410 | $51.64 |
| Biological Technician | $56,470 | $27.15 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $93,860 | $45.13 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Alaska
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1032. 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 forester make in Alaska?
The median salary for foresters in Alaska is $87,210 a year, or $41.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Alaska?
The top 10% of foresters in Alaska earn at least $104,680 a year. The top 25% earn $98,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Alaska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,840 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $73,990 or less.
How many foresters work in Alaska?
About 80 foresters are employed in Alaska, not counting the self-employed.