Forester salary in Michigan
Foresters in Michigan earn a median of $75,920 a year ($36.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,570 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $76,400. Michigan ranks 19th of 44 states for foresters pay. There are 0.08 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| 25th percentile | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Median | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| 75th percentile | $85,430 | $41.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,570 | $47.39 |
| Average (mean) | $77,500 | $37.26 |
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 | $6,326.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,163.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,920 |
| Weekly | $1,460 |
| Hourly | $36.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $67,750 | 40 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $109,340 | $52.57 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| Microbiologist | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Animal Scientist | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Chemist | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,080 | $36.58 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for foresters in Michigan is $75,920 a year, or $36.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Michigan?
The top 10% of foresters in Michigan earn at least $98,570 a year. The top 25% earn $85,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,620 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $63,860 or less.
How many foresters work in Michigan?
About 340 foresters are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.