Forester salary in Minnesota
Foresters in Minnesota earn a median of $76,490 a year ($36.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,080 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $76,400. Minnesota ranks 17th of 44 states for foresters pay. There are 0.13 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,910 | $27.84 |
| 25th percentile | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| Median | $76,490 | $36.78 |
| 75th percentile | $88,000 | $42.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,080 | $50.52 |
| Average (mean) | $79,580 | $38.26 |
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 | $6,374.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,187.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,941.92 |
| Weekly | $1,470.96 |
| Hourly | $36.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $80,600 | 100 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $76,400 | 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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $89,950 | $43.25 |
| Conservation Scientist | $71,280 | $34.27 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,610 | $38.28 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Epidemiologist | $104,460 | $50.22 |
| Microbiologist | $83,400 | $40.09 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $81,280 | $39.08 |
| Animal Scientist | $88,640 | $42.62 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,990 | $46.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $88,000 | $42.31 |
| Chemist | $99,280 | $47.73 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for foresters in Minnesota is $76,490 a year, or $36.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of foresters in Minnesota earn at least $105,080 a year. The top 25% earn $88,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,910 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $67,370 or less.
How many foresters work in Minnesota?
About 390 foresters are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.