Forester salary in North Carolina
Foresters in North Carolina earn a median of $77,870 a year ($37.44 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $46,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,900 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $76,400. North Carolina ranks 15th of 44 states for foresters pay. The average (mean) salary is $70,850, close to the median.
Pay range for foresters in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| 25th percentile | $48,180 | $23.17 |
| Median | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| 75th percentile | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,900 | $46.59 |
| Average (mean) | $70,850 | $34.06 |
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 | $6,489.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,244.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,995 |
| Weekly | $1,497.50 |
| Hourly | $37.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $78,800 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $49,790 | n/a |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Conservation Scientist | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $79,840 | $38.38 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for foresters in North Carolina is $77,870 a year, or $37.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of foresters in North Carolina earn at least $96,900 a year. The top 25% earn $77,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,800 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $48,180 or less.