Forester salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Foresters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $64,610 a year ($31.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,920 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 6% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $61,110. There are 0.04 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $70,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| 25th percentile | $53,490 | $25.72 |
| Median | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| 75th percentile | $86,230 | $41.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Average (mean) | $70,510 | $33.90 |
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 | $5,384.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,692.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,485 |
| Weekly | $1,242.50 |
| Hourly | $31.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Forester salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $85,610 | 130 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Conservation Scientist | $65,280 | $31.39 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| Epidemiologist | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Microbiologist | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $69,970 | $33.64 |
| Chemist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $67,000 | $32.21 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for foresters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $64,610 a year, or $31.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of foresters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $100,920 a year. The top 25% earn $86,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,300 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $53,490 or less.
How many foresters work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 40 foresters are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.