Forester salary in Rapid City, SD
Foresters in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $63,210 a year ($30.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,260 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 2% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $64,460. There are 0.48 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,040 | $24.54 |
| 25th percentile | $56,760 | $27.29 |
| Median | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| 75th percentile | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Average (mean) | $67,480 | $32.44 |
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 | $5,267.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,633.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,431.15 |
| Weekly | $1,215.58 |
| Hourly | $30.39 |
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 |
See Forester pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,310 | $35.25 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| Conservation Scientist | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $104,380 | $50.18 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,260 | $32.82 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,160 | $41.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $63,720 | $30.64 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for foresters in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $63,210 a year, or $30.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of foresters in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $86,260 a year. The top 25% earn $76,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,040 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $56,760 or less.
How many foresters work in Rapid City, SD?
About 40 foresters are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.