Forester salary in South Carolina
Foresters in South Carolina earn a median of $86,780 a year ($41.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,670 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $76,400. South Carolina ranks 4th of 44 states for foresters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.11 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,380, close to the median.
Pay range for foresters in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| 25th percentile | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| Median | $86,780 | $41.72 |
| 75th percentile | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,670 | $49.36 |
| Average (mean) | $84,380 | $40.57 |
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 | $7,231.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,615.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,337.69 |
| Weekly | $1,668.85 |
| Hourly | $41.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forester salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | $89,990 | 50 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Microbiologist | $64,740 | $31.13 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $108,660 | $52.24 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $109,080 | $52.44 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,660 | $40.70 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $169,440 | $81.46 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Chemist | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,490 | $52.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for foresters in South Carolina is $86,780 a year, or $41.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of foresters in South Carolina earn at least $102,670 a year. The top 25% earn $97,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,310 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $65,060 or less.
How many foresters work in South Carolina?
About 250 foresters are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.