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Forest ranger salary
Average forest ranger salary
$41,431
Average Forest Ranger Salary
The average salary for a Forest Ranger in the United States is approximately $41,431 annually, translating to about $20 per hour. This figure can vary based on factors such as location, experience, and specific duties. For instance, entry-level positions may start lower, while those with several years in the field can earn significantly more. Specializations, such as fire management or park operations, often command higher salaries.
Where Can a Forest Ranger Earn More?
Geographic location plays a crucial role in salary differences. States like California and Washington typically offer higher pay due to the cost of living and greater demand for forest management. Additionally, metropolitan areas may provide more opportunities and competitive salaries compared to rural locations.
Forest Ranger Salaries by Experience Level
Experience directly influences earning potential. Entry-level rangers may earn around $30,000, while seasoned professionals can see salaries exceed $50,000. Gaining specialized certifications or pursuing higher education can further enhance career advancement and salary prospects.
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Where can a Forest Ranger earn more?
Forest ranger salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level forest ranger | $33,600 | $16.16 |
| Mid-level forest ranger | $39,800 | $19.11 |
| Senior-level forest ranger | $44,500 | $21.38 |
Forest ranger salary estimates from across the web
Average forest ranger salary by state
The average forest ranger salary in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average forest ranger salary states are Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Montana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for forest rangers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $44,044 | $21.18 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $50,685 | $24.37 |
| 3 | Virginia | $46,164 | $22.19 |
| 4 | Arizona | $43,436 | $20.88 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $45,008 | $21.64 |
| 6 | North Carolina | $39,417 | $18.95 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $45,907 | $22.07 |
| 8 | Delaware | $45,221 | $21.74 |
| 9 | New York | $44,637 | $21.46 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $44,839 | $21.56 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $38,595 | $18.56 |
| 12 | Michigan | $38,321 | $18.42 |
| 13 | Maine | $35,107 | $16.88 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $42,346 | $20.36 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $41,057 | $19.74 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $32,892 | $15.81 |
| 17 | West Virginia | $33,777 | $16.24 |
| 18 | Nevada | $34,953 | $16.80 |
| 19 | Alabama | $35,679 | $17.15 |
| 20 | Florida | $35,262 | $16.95 |
| 21 | Vermont | $40,631 | $19.53 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $43,171 | $20.76 |
| 23 | Maryland | $38,646 | $18.58 |
| 24 | Ohio | $33,901 | $16.30 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $32,944 | $15.84 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $31,007 | $14.91 |
| 27 | Washington | $33,699 | $16.20 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $32,662 | $15.70 |
| 29 | Texas | $34,311 | $16.50 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $32,619 | $15.68 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $31,469 | $15.13 |
| 32 | Illinois | $34,962 | $16.81 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $29,927 | $14.39 |
| 34 | Iowa | $32,756 | $15.75 |
| 35 | California | $34,285 | $16.48 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $29,925 | $14.39 |
| 37 | Oregon | $33,136 | $15.93 |
| 38 | Indiana | $31,276 | $15.04 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $28,066 | $13.49 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $29,756 | $14.31 |
| 41 | Kansas | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $29,458 | $14.16 |
| 43 | Montana | $27,205 | $13.08 |
| 44 | Idaho | $25,344 | $12.18 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $28,805 | $13.85 |
| 46 | Utah | $25,432 | $12.23 |
| 47 | Georgia | $28,729 | $13.81 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $27,680 | $13.31 |
| 49 | Colorado | $25,508 | $12.26 |
| 50 | Missouri | $27,746 | $13.34 |
| 51 | Nebraska | $27,556 | $13.25 |
Highest paying cities for forest rangers
The highest-paying cities for forest rangers are Dover, DE, Saint Cloud, MN, and Fort Myers, FL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dover, DE | $45,057 | $21.66 |
| 2 | Saint Cloud, MN | $41,417 | $19.91 |
| 3 | Fort Myers, FL | $36,276 | $17.44 |
| 4 | Palmdale, CA | $34,616 | $16.64 |
| 5 | Hilliard, OH | $33,209 | $15.97 |
| 6 | Pine Bluff, AR | $30,222 | $14.53 |
| 7 | Milton, GA | $28,815 | $13.85 |
Forest ranger salary details
A forest ranger's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $72,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a forest ranger's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,000 | $4,583 | $26 |
| Average | $41,431 | $3,453 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying forest ranger jobs
The highest paying types of forest rangers are hot shot, fire crew specialist, and forest fire warden.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger | $32,117 | $2,676 | $15.44 | 748 |
| Park Ranger | $40,801 | $3,400 | $19.62 | 2,380 |
Top companies hiring forest rangers now:
Which companies pay forest rangers the most?
Forest ranger salaries at Americorps and Maine are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average forest ranger salary at companies like State Of Florida and My Florida Regional Mls are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Americorps | $37,639 | $18.10 |
| 2 | Maine | $34,244 | $16.46 |
| 3 | State Of Florida | $31,787 | $15.28 |
| 4 | My Florida Regional Mls | $31,693 | $15.24 |
| 5 | Florida Department of Transportation | $31,328 | $15.06 |
| 6 | Florida Dept. of Health | $30,970 | $14.89 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Forest ranger salary trends
The average forest ranger salary has risen by $5,588 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average forest ranger earned $35,843 annually, but today, they earn $41,431 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for forest rangers over the last decade.
Compare forest ranger salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average forest ranger salary over time
Compare forest ranger salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Forest ranger salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,400 | $19.92 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $40,100 | $19.29 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $39,200 | $18.83 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $38,700 | $18.62 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $37,900 | $18.22 | +2.4% |
Recently added forest ranger salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Florida | Forest Ranger | Lake City, FL | 06/25/2025 | $44,990 |
| State of Florida | Forest Ranger | Lake City, FL | 05/22/2025 | $44,990 |
| State of Maine | Agency Transfers Only-Forest Ranger II-8 Vacancies-Various Locations | Houlton, ME | 05/17/2025 | $53,907 |
| State of Florida | Forest Ranger | High Springs, FL | 04/21/2025 | $44,990 |
| The State of Florida | Forest Ranger | Jacksonville, FL | 03/16/2025 | $44,990 |
| State of Arkansas | Forest Ranger I (B102C) | Sheridan, AR | 03/08/2025 | $32,405 |
| Myflorida | Forest Ranger | Miramar Beach, FL | 02/24/2025 | $44,990 |
| The State of Florida | Forest Ranger | Pembroke Pines, FL | 02/19/2025 | $46,966 |
| Arkansas | Forest Ranger I | Little Rock, AR | 02/18/2025 | $32,405 |
| State of Arkansas | Forest Ranger II | Camden, AR | 02/15/2025 | $32,405 |
Forest ranger salary FAQs
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