Forester salary in Idaho
Foresters in Idaho earn a median of $65,170 a year ($31.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,770 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $76,400. Idaho ranks 35th of 44 states for foresters pay. There are 0.33 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| 25th percentile | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Median | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| 75th percentile | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,770 | $38.83 |
| Average (mean) | $65,370 | $31.43 |
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 | $5,430.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,715.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,506.54 |
| Weekly | $1,253.27 |
| Hourly | $31.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in cities in Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $66,000 | 30 |
| Boise City, ID | $65,170 | 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 Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $73,360 | $35.27 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $68,990 | $33.17 |
| Microbiologist | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Epidemiologist | $66,280 | $31.86 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $53,290 | $25.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,920 | $41.79 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $70,350 | $33.82 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,980 | $23.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Idaho
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 Idaho?
The median salary for foresters in Idaho is $65,170 a year, or $31.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Idaho?
The top 10% of foresters in Idaho earn at least $80,770 a year. The top 25% earn $72,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,110 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $57,410 or less.
How many foresters work in Idaho?
About 280 foresters are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.