Forester salary in Indiana
Foresters in Indiana earn a median of $61,110 a year ($29.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,020 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $76,400. Indiana ranks 41st of 44 states for foresters pay. There are 0.05 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $67,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| 25th percentile | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Median | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| 75th percentile | $86,230 | $41.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,020 | $46.65 |
| Average (mean) | $67,530 | $32.46 |
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 | $5,092.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,546.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,350.38 |
| Weekly | $1,175.19 |
| Hourly | $29.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in cities in Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $85,610 | 130 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $64,610 | 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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,570 | $31.04 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $69,350 | $33.34 |
| Epidemiologist | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Microbiologist | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $54,670 | $26.28 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| Chemist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,150 | $28.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for foresters in Indiana is $61,110 a year, or $29.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Indiana?
The top 10% of foresters in Indiana earn at least $97,020 a year. The top 25% earn $86,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,150 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $51,170 or less.
How many foresters work in Indiana?
About 160 foresters are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.