Forester salary in Columbia, SC
Foresters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $89,990 a year ($43.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,270 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 4% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $86,780. There are 0.13 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,590, close to the median.
Pay range for foresters in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| 25th percentile | $66,310 | $31.88 |
| Median | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| 75th percentile | $96,480 | $46.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,270 | $58.30 |
| Average (mean) | $86,590 | $41.63 |
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 | $7,499.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,749.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,461.15 |
| Weekly | $1,730.58 |
| Hourly | $43.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $78,800 | 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 |
See Forester pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,740 | $31.12 |
| Chemist | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| Hydrologist | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| School Psychologist | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,910 | $34.57 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for foresters in the Columbia, SC metro area is $89,990 a year, or $43.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of foresters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $121,270 a year. The top 25% earn $96,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,310 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $66,310 or less.
How many foresters work in Columbia, SC?
About 50 foresters are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.