Forester salary in Salem, OR
Foresters in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $89,220 a year ($42.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,350 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 10% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $81,450. There are 0.56 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,510, close to the median.
Pay range for foresters in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,200 | $27.98 |
| 25th percentile | $70,320 | $33.81 |
| Median | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| 75th percentile | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,350 | $54.50 |
| Average (mean) | $86,510 | $41.59 |
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 | $7,435 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,717.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,431.54 |
| Weekly | $1,715.77 |
| Hourly | $42.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $89,780 | 180 |
| Corvallis, OR | $81,450 | 40 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $79,980 | 60 |
| Medford, OR | $76,400 | 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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Conservation Scientist | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $117,550 | $56.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,960 | $41.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,680 | $46.00 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $143,980 | $69.22 |
| Food Science Technician | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $107,960 | $51.91 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| School Psychologist | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| Economist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for foresters in the Salem, OR metro area is $89,220 a year, or $42.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of foresters in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $113,350 a year. The top 25% earn $98,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,200 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $70,320 or less.
How many foresters work in Salem, OR?
About 110 foresters are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.