Forester salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Foresters in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $73,950 a year ($35.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,130 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 17% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $63,220. There are 0.02 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $78,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,850 | $25.41 |
| 25th percentile | $61,880 | $29.75 |
| Median | $73,950 | $35.56 |
| 75th percentile | $79,980 | $38.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,130 | $54.87 |
| Average (mean) | $78,240 | $37.61 |
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 | $6,162.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,081.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,844.23 |
| Weekly | $1,422.12 |
| Hourly | $35.56 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $85,610 | 130 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Conservation Scientist | $62,390 | $30.00 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| Microbiologist | $89,630 | $43.09 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Epidemiologist | $67,010 | $32.22 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,010 | $45.20 |
| Chemist | $86,690 | $41.68 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,250 | $48.68 |
| Chemical Technician | $73,290 | $35.24 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for foresters in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $73,950 a year, or $35.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of foresters in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $114,130 a year. The top 25% earn $79,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,850 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $61,880 or less.
How many foresters work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 30 foresters are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.