North Carolina Median
$77,870
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $76,400
State Rank
#15 of 44
state estimate
How much does a Forester make in North Carolina?
A Forester working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $77,870 per year, or about $37.44 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $76,400 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $46,800 while the top 10% make $96,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,180 and $77,870 a year.
Forester salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,800 | $22.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,180 | $23.16 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,870 | $37.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,870 | $37.44 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,900 | $46.59 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 15th 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 $83,000Illinois $82,160Oregon $81,450Vermont $80,750Texas $80,370Alabama $79,530Washington $78,460Pennsylvania $78,280Georgia $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($77,870) 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 North Carolina?
The median Forester salary in North Carolina is $77,870 per year, or about $37.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,800 at the entry level to $96,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Foresters about 2% more than the national median of $76,400. North Carolina ranks 15th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Foresters?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $77,870 a year. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.