Illinois Median
$82,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $76,400
State Rank
#8 of 44
220 employed here
How much does a Forester make in Illinois?
Foresters in Illinois take home a median of $82,160 annually — roughly $39.50 an hour — which runs 8% above the national median of $76,400.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $60,230 while the top 10% make $120,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,490 and $105,580 a year.
Forester salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,230 | $28.96 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $73,490 | $35.33 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $82,160 | $39.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $105,580 | $50.76 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,150 | $57.76 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 8th out of 44 states and territories for Forester pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Forester salary in other states
California $107,120Massachusetts $89,650Alaska $87,210South Carolina $86,780Maryland $86,100Connecticut $84,820Iowa $83,000Oregon $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($82,160) 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 Illinois?
The median Forester salary in Illinois is $82,160 per year, or about $39.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,230 at the entry level to $120,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Foresters about 8% more than the national median of $76,400. Illinois ranks 8th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Foresters?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $82,160 a year. About 220 Foresters are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Forester salary report
Related salaries
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$98,920
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$76,750
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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.