Forester salary in Kentucky
Foresters in Kentucky earn a median of $56,460 a year ($27.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,710 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $76,400. Kentucky ranks 42nd of 44 states for foresters pay. There are 0.06 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| 25th percentile | $51,160 | $24.60 |
| Median | $56,460 | $27.15 |
| 75th percentile | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,710 | $42.65 |
| Average (mean) | $63,560 | $30.56 |
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 | $4,705 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,352.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,171.54 |
| Weekly | $1,085.77 |
| Hourly | $27.15 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| Conservation Scientist | $71,980 | $34.61 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $98,710 | $47.46 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $61,950 | $29.79 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $67,340 | $32.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Microbiologist | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for foresters in Kentucky is $56,460 a year, or $27.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of foresters in Kentucky earn at least $88,710 a year. The top 25% earn $69,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,940 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $51,160 or less.
How many foresters work in Kentucky?
About 120 foresters are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.