Forester salary in District of Columbia
Foresters in District of Columbia earn a median of $74,710 a year ($35.92 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $74,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,330 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $76,400. District of Columbia ranks 21st of 44 states for foresters pay. The average (mean) salary is $82,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,700 | $35.91 |
| 25th percentile | $74,700 | $35.92 |
| Median | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| 75th percentile | $75,450 | $36.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,330 | $49.68 |
| Average (mean) | $82,930 | $39.87 |
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 | $6,225.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,112.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,873.46 |
| Weekly | $1,436.73 |
| Hourly | $35.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Forester salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $74,710 | 280 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $107,050 | $51.46 |
| Conservation Scientist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Epidemiologist | $112,370 | $54.02 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $120,090 | $57.74 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $107,140 | $51.51 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $167,640 | $80.60 |
| Political Scientist | $152,530 | $73.33 |
| Economist | $167,590 | $80.57 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,440 | $61.75 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $156,730 | $75.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for foresters in District of Columbia is $74,710 a year, or $35.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of foresters in District of Columbia earn at least $103,330 a year. The top 25% earn $75,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,700 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $74,700 or less.