Forester salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Foresters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $49,790 a year ($23.94 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $46,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,160 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 36% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $77,870. The average (mean) salary is $62,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| 25th percentile | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Median | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| 75th percentile | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,160 | $44.31 |
| Average (mean) | $62,630 | $30.11 |
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 | $4,149.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,074.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,915 |
| Weekly | $957.50 |
| Hourly | $23.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $78,800 | 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 |
See Forester pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Microbiologist | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,770 | $40.76 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Conservation Scientist | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,400 | $39.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Chemist | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $96,560 | $46.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for foresters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $49,790 a year, or $23.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of foresters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $92,160 a year. The top 25% earn $73,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,800 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $46,800 or less.