Forester salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
Foresters in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area earn a median of $76,600 a year ($36.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,570 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 2% lower than the Washington statewide median of $78,460. There are 0.87 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 13.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,830 | $28.77 |
| 25th percentile | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Median | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| 75th percentile | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,570 | $54.60 |
| Average (mean) | $80,050 | $38.48 |
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 | $6,383.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,191.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,946.15 |
| Weekly | $1,473.08 |
| Hourly | $36.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Forester salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $89,780 | 180 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,310 | 240 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $78,460 | 30 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $76,600 | 80 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $74,710 | 50 |
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 |
See Forester pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologist | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $118,290 | $56.87 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $95,640 | $45.98 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $86,700 | $41.68 |
| Economist | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,640 | $45.98 |
| Biological Technician | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Hydrologist | $93,340 | $44.87 |
| School Psychologist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $119,520 | $57.46 |
| Chemist | $93,340 | $44.87 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
The median salary for foresters in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area is $76,600 a year, or $36.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
The top 10% of foresters in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area earn at least $113,570 a year. The top 25% earn $94,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,830 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $61,220 or less.
How many foresters work in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
About 110 foresters are employed in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.