Forester salary in Iowa
Foresters in Iowa earn a median of $83,000 a year ($39.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,720 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $76,400. Iowa ranks 7th of 44 states for foresters pay. 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 $83,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| 25th percentile | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| Median | $83,000 | $39.91 |
| 75th percentile | $94,800 | $45.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,720 | $50.35 |
| Average (mean) | $83,390 | $40.09 |
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 | $6,916.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,458.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,192.31 |
| Weekly | $1,596.15 |
| Hourly | $39.91 |
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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Microbiologist | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,880 | $38.41 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,000 | $39.91 |
| Animal Scientist | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,830 | $42.23 |
| Biological Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for foresters in Iowa is $83,000 a year, or $39.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Iowa?
The top 10% of foresters in Iowa earn at least $104,720 a year. The top 25% earn $94,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,470 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $68,470 or less.
How many foresters work in Iowa?
About 50 foresters are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.