Forester salary in California
Foresters in California earn a median of $107,120 a year ($51.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,750 for the top 10%. That is 40% higher than the national median of $76,400. California ranks 1st of 44 states for foresters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $110,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,110 | $34.19 |
| 25th percentile | $91,170 | $43.83 |
| Median | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| 75th percentile | $130,430 | $62.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Average (mean) | $110,770 | $53.25 |
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 | $8,926.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,463.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,120 |
| Weekly | $2,060 |
| Hourly | $51.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $112,560 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $107,750 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $107,690 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $102,540 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $93,340 | 40 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $139,580 | $67.11 |
| Microbiologist | $108,530 | $52.18 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $93,950 | $45.17 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,810 | $38.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $110,760 | $53.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $91,930 | $44.20 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $102,830 | $49.44 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for foresters in California is $107,120 a year, or $51.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in California?
The top 10% of foresters in California earn at least $156,750 a year. The top 25% earn $130,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,110 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $91,170 or less.
How many foresters work in California?
About 820 foresters are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.