Forester salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Foresters in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $67,750 a year ($32.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,210 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 11% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $75,920. There are 0.18 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,750 | $32.57 |
| 25th percentile | $67,750 | $32.57 |
| Median | $67,750 | $32.57 |
| 75th percentile | $87,610 | $42.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,210 | $48.66 |
| Average (mean) | $77,480 | $37.25 |
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 | $5,645.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,822.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,605.77 |
| Weekly | $1,302.88 |
| Hourly | $32.57 |
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 |
See Forester pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Conservation Scientist | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| Microbiologist | $67,960 | $32.67 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $67,870 | $32.63 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $63,520 | $30.54 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Animal Scientist | $55,450 | $26.66 |
| Epidemiologist | $67,830 | $32.61 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,180 | $40.95 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,220 | $30.87 |
| Physicist | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,760 | $39.79 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for foresters in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $67,750 a year, or $32.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of foresters in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $101,210 a year. The top 25% earn $87,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,750 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $67,750 or less.
How many foresters work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 40 foresters are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.