Forester salary in Richmond, VA
Foresters in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $66,430 a year ($31.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,210 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 8% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $71,990. There are 0.10 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| 25th percentile | $55,590 | $26.72 |
| Median | $66,430 | $31.94 |
| 75th percentile | $80,580 | $38.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,210 | $48.66 |
| Average (mean) | $70,970 | $34.12 |
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 | $5,535.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,767.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,555 |
| Weekly | $1,277.50 |
| Hourly | $31.94 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $74,710 | 280 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| Epidemiologist | $82,460 | $39.64 |
| Conservation Scientist | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| Microbiologist | $90,930 | $43.72 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,220 | $38.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Biological Technician | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Chemist | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,800 | $22.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for foresters in the Richmond, VA metro area is $66,430 a year, or $31.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of foresters in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $101,210 a year. The top 25% earn $80,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,110 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $55,590 or less.
How many foresters work in Richmond, VA?
About 70 foresters are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.