Forester salary in Columbus, OH
Foresters in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $71,340 a year ($34.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,710 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 3% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $73,320. There are 0.03 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $73,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| 25th percentile | $65,340 | $31.41 |
| Median | $71,340 | $34.30 |
| 75th percentile | $82,450 | $39.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,710 | $41.69 |
| Average (mean) | $73,310 | $35.24 |
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 | $5,945 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,972.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,743.85 |
| Weekly | $1,371.92 |
| Hourly | $34.30 |
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 |
See Forester pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Microbiologist | $78,030 | $37.51 |
| Conservation Scientist | $66,110 | $31.79 |
| Epidemiologist | $80,980 | $38.94 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $75,400 | $36.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Chemist | $94,170 | $45.27 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,340 | $29.97 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for foresters in the Columbus, OH metro area is $71,340 a year, or $34.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of foresters in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $86,710 a year. The top 25% earn $82,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,160 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $65,340 or less.
How many foresters work in Columbus, OH?
About 40 foresters are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.