Forester salary in Colorado
Foresters in Colorado earn a median of $76,400 a year ($36.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,410 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $76,400. Colorado ranks 18th of 44 states for foresters pay. There are 0.07 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,560, close to the median.
Pay range for foresters in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,090 | $25.05 |
| 25th percentile | $64,190 | $30.86 |
| Median | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| 75th percentile | $85,180 | $40.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,410 | $46.83 |
| Average (mean) | $74,560 | $35.85 |
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 | $6,366.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,183.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,938.46 |
| Weekly | $1,469.23 |
| Hourly | $36.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $69,010 | 60 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $66,110 | 50 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| Epidemiologist | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| Microbiologist | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,580 | $47.87 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for foresters in Colorado is $76,400 a year, or $36.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Colorado?
The top 10% of foresters in Colorado earn at least $97,410 a year. The top 25% earn $85,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,090 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $64,190 or less.
How many foresters work in Colorado?
About 210 foresters are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.