California Median
$107,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$51.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+40% vs US median
US median $76,400
State Rank
#1 of 44
820 employed here
How much does a Forester make in California?
A Forester working in California earns a median salary of $107,120 per year, or about $51.50 per hour. That is 40% above the national median of $76,400 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $71,110 while the top 10% make $156,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $91,170 and $130,430 a year.
Forester salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,110 | $34.19 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $91,170 | $43.83 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $107,120 | $51.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $130,430 | $62.71 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,750 | $75.36 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 44 states and territories for Forester pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Forester salary in other states
Massachusetts $89,650Alaska $87,210South Carolina $86,780Maryland $86,100Connecticut $84,820Iowa $83,000Illinois $82,160Oregon $81,450Vermont $80,750Texas $80,370Alabama $79,530Washington $78,460Pennsylvania $78,280North Carolina $77,870Georgia $76,970Minnesota $76,490Colorado $76,400Michigan $75,920Utah $75,210District of Columbia $74,710New York $73,710Ohio $73,320Tennessee $71,990Virginia $71,990Mississippi $71,280Arkansas $69,240New Mexico $69,240Wyoming $68,180Kansas $67,540Arizona $67,200Montana $67,200Maine $66,480Wisconsin $66,010Idaho $65,170New Hampshire $65,170South Dakota $64,460Florida $64,130Missouri $63,220West Virginia $62,550Indiana $61,110Kentucky $56,460Nevada $51,070Oklahoma $50,990
Working as a Forester in California
Nationally, about 10,000 people work as Foresters in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($107,120) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Forester make in California?
The median Forester salary in California is $107,120 per year, or about $51.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $71,110 at the entry level to $156,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Foresters about 40% more than the national median of $76,400. California ranks 1st out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Foresters?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $107,120 a year. About 820 Foresters are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Forester salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.