Forester salary in Massachusetts
Foresters in Massachusetts earn a median of $89,650 a year ($43.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,350 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $76,400. Massachusetts ranks 2nd of 44 states for foresters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $86,020, close to the median.
Pay range for foresters in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,110 | $30.34 |
| 25th percentile | $74,680 | $35.90 |
| Median | $89,650 | $43.10 |
| 75th percentile | $98,760 | $47.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,350 | $50.65 |
| Average (mean) | $86,020 | $41.36 |
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 | $7,470.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,735.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,448.08 |
| Weekly | $1,724.04 |
| Hourly | $43.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $86,070 | 90 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $128,210 | $61.64 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| Microbiologist | $122,350 | $58.82 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,740 | $37.85 |
| Epidemiologist | $115,890 | $55.72 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $84,350 | $40.55 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $103,580 | $49.80 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $125,260 | $60.22 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $69,880 | $33.59 |
| Biological Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Chemist | $125,000 | $60.09 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,970 | $49.99 |
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for foresters in Massachusetts is $89,650 a year, or $43.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of foresters in Massachusetts earn at least $105,350 a year. The top 25% earn $98,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,110 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $74,680 or less.
How many foresters work in Massachusetts?
About 130 foresters are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.