Forester Salary in Washington (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Foresters in Washington, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$78,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.72
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $76,400
State Rank
#13 of 44
950 employed here

How much does a Forester make in Washington?

A Forester working in Washington earns a median salary of $78,460 per year, or about $37.72 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $76,400 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $59,830 while the top 10% make $119,320 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,270 and $103,760 a year.

Forester salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$59,830$28.76
25th percentile (early career)$67,270$32.34
50th percentile (median)$78,460$37.72
75th percentile (experienced)$103,760$49.88
90th percentile (top earners)$119,320$57.37

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 13th out of 44 states and territories for Forester pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$107,120
2Massachusetts$89,650
3Alaska$87,210
4South Carolina$86,780
5Maryland$86,100

Working as a Forester in Washington

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 Washington pay ($78,460) 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 Washington?
The median Forester salary in Washington is $78,460 per year, or about $37.72 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,830 at the entry level to $119,320 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Foresters about 3% more than the national median of $76,400. Washington ranks 13th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Foresters?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,460 a year. About 950 Foresters are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.