Forester salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Foresters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $86,310 a year ($41.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,080 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 10% higher than the Washington statewide median of $78,460. There are 0.12 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| 25th percentile | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| Median | $86,310 | $41.50 |
| 75th percentile | $119,320 | $57.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,080 | $60.62 |
| Average (mean) | $93,500 | $44.95 |
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 | $7,192.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,596.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,319.62 |
| Weekly | $1,659.81 |
| Hourly | $41.50 |
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 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $78,460 | 30 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $76,600 | 110 |
| 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $96,450 | $46.37 |
| Epidemiologist | $123,970 | $59.60 |
| Conservation Scientist | $82,380 | $39.61 |
| Microbiologist | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for foresters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $86,310 a year, or $41.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of foresters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $126,080 a year. The top 25% earn $119,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,270 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $67,270 or less.
How many foresters work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 240 foresters are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.