Forester salary in Montana
Foresters in Montana earn a median of $67,200 a year ($32.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,260 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $76,400. Montana ranks 32nd of 44 states for foresters pay. There are 0.47 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,900 | $24.47 |
| 25th percentile | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Median | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| 75th percentile | $81,430 | $39.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Average (mean) | $72,080 | $34.66 |
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 | $5,600 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,800 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,584.62 |
| Weekly | $1,292.31 |
| Hourly | $32.31 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,500 | $38.22 |
| Microbiologist | $87,750 | $42.19 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $52,230 | $25.11 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Chemist | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,770 | $38.83 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for foresters in Montana is $67,200 a year, or $32.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Montana?
The top 10% of foresters in Montana earn at least $86,260 a year. The top 25% earn $81,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,900 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $63,130 or less.
How many foresters work in Montana?
About 240 foresters are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.