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Forest worker salary
Average forest worker salary
$12.74
Understanding Forest Worker Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Forest Worker is approximately $26,509 annually, translating to around $13 per hour. Salaries can differ based on various factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and industry sector. For instance, some states offer higher wages due to demand and cost of living adjustments.
Where Can Forest Workers Earn More?
Forest Workers in regions with extensive forestry operations, such as the Pacific Northwest, often see higher salaries. Cities with a robust demand for forestry services, like Seattle and Portland, tend to offer competitive pay. Additionally, specialized roles within forestry management or conservation can command higher wages, reflecting the expertise required.
Job Opportunities
For those considering a career as a Forest Worker, numerous job opportunities exist across various sectors, including government agencies, private forestry companies, and non-profit environmental organizations. Pursuing certifications in forestry or environmental science can enhance job prospects and salary potential.
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Where can a Forest Worker earn more?
Average forest worker salary by state
The highest-paying states for forest workers are Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The lowest average forest worker salary states are Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for forest workers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | $28,256 | $13.58 |
| 2 | Nebraska | $27,529 | $13.24 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $28,739 | $13.82 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $26,924 | $12.94 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $28,172 | $13.54 |
| 6 | Idaho | $27,726 | $13.33 |
| 7 | Michigan | $28,347 | $13.63 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $28,539 | $13.72 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $27,648 | $13.29 |
| 10 | Oregon | $27,737 | $13.34 |
| 11 | Montana | $28,050 | $13.49 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $28,806 | $13.85 |
| 13 | Utah | $27,504 | $13.22 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $27,727 | $13.33 |
| 15 | Iowa | $27,809 | $13.37 |
| 16 | Washington | $27,664 | $13.30 |
| 17 | Maine | $28,009 | $13.47 |
| 18 | Nevada | $27,546 | $13.24 |
| 19 | Ohio | $27,571 | $13.26 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $28,194 | $13.55 |
| 21 | Indiana | $27,274 | $13.11 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| 23 | Illinois | $27,930 | $13.43 |
| 24 | Missouri | $26,658 | $12.82 |
| 25 | Vermont | $28,109 | $13.51 |
| 26 | Delaware | $27,412 | $13.18 |
| 27 | Massachusetts | $28,217 | $13.57 |
| 28 | California | $27,546 | $13.24 |
| 29 | Colorado | $27,122 | $13.04 |
| 30 | New York | $28,083 | $13.50 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $25,979 | $12.49 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| 33 | New Jersey | $27,943 | $13.43 |
| 34 | Arizona | $26,510 | $12.75 |
| 35 | District of Columbia | $27,037 | $13.00 |
| 36 | Maryland | $27,213 | $13.08 |
| 37 | Kansas | $26,615 | $12.80 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $26,316 | $12.65 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $25,418 | $12.22 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $25,017 | $12.03 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $24,895 | $11.97 |
| 42 | Alabama | $24,229 | $11.65 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $27,782 | $13.36 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $24,212 | $11.64 |
| 45 | Virginia | $26,212 | $12.60 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $24,020 | $11.55 |
| 47 | Alaska | $26,026 | $12.51 |
| 48 | Georgia | $24,172 | $11.62 |
| 49 | Florida | $23,647 | $11.37 |
| 50 | Texas | $24,368 | $11.72 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $24,243 | $11.66 |
Highest paying cities for forest workers
The highest-paying cities for forest workers are Erie, PA, Sacramento, CA, and Lakewood, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erie, PA | $28,272 | $13.59 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $28,150 | $13.53 |
| 3 | Lakewood, WA | $27,649 | $13.29 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $24,196 | $11.63 |
Forest worker salary details
A forest worker's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $32,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a forest worker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 75th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| Average | $26,509 | $2,209 | $13 |
| 25th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying forest worker jobs
The highest paying types of forest workers are hacker, foreman, and forest resource specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreman | $55,073 | $4,589 | $26.48 | 8,405 |
Top companies hiring forest workers now:
Which companies pay forest workers the most?
Forest worker salaries at Anthony and Michigan State University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average forest worker salary at companies like Progressive and Conservation Services Group are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony | $31,672 | $15.23 |
| 2 | Michigan State University | $31,516 | $15.15 |
| 3 | Progressive | $28,572 | $13.74 |
| 4 | Conservation Services Group | $27,608 | $13.27 |
| 5 | Superior Forestry Services | $27,541 | $13.24 |
| 6 | Labor | $26,853 | $12.91 |
| 7 | GTS | $26,685 | $12.83 |
| 8 | Northwoods | $26,658 | $12.82 |
| 9 | The Davey Tree Expert Company | $26,428 | $12.71 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania State Treasurer | $26,394 | $12.69 |
| 11 | Alpha | $25,555 | $12.29 |
| 12 | Forrester | $25,524 | $12.27 |
| 13 | Williams & Associates | $25,276 | $12.15 |
| 14 | Planters Bank | $24,970 | $12.00 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Forest Worker salary by industry
The average forest worker salary varies across industries:
- The average forest worker salary in the insurance industry is $28,278, the highest of any industry.
- The average forest worker salary in the finance industry is $27,467.
- Forest workers in the government industry earn an average salary of $26,541, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for forest workers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Insurance | $28,278 | $13.60 |
| 2 | Professional | $27,467 | $13.21 |
| 3 | Non Profits | $26,554 | $12.77 |
| 4 | Government | $26,541 | $12.76 |
High paying forest worker jobs
Forest worker salary trends
The average forest worker salary has risen by $6,350 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average forest worker earned $20,159 annually, but today, they earn $26,509 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for forest workers over the last decade.
Compare forest worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average forest worker salary over time
Compare forest worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Forest worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $26,500 | $12.74 | -3.7% |
| 2024 | $27,500 | $13.21 | +13.6% |
| 2023 | $23,800 | $11.42 | -0.7% |
| 2022 | $23,900 | $11.50 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | $23,300 | $11.21 | +2.8% |
Recently added forest worker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities Service, LLC | Utility Forester Work Planner-Non Union-PSE | Bellevue, WA | 05/17/2025 | $38,610 |
| State of Indiana | Seasonal Natural Resources Worker-Owen Putnam State Forest | Spencer, IN | 05/13/2025 | $25,566 |
| Tyson Foods | General Labor, 2Nd Shift, April Evergreen, Forest MS | Forest, MS | 04/26/2025 | $32,766 |
| Tyson Foods | General Labor, 2Nd Shift, April Evergreen, Forest MS | Forest, VA | 04/23/2025 | $32,766 |
| Tyson | General Labor, 2Nd Shift, April Evergreen, Forest MS | Forest, MS | 04/23/2025 | $32,766 |
| Utilities Service, LLC | Utility Forester Work Planner-Non Union-PSE | Bellevue, WA | 04/18/2025 | $38,610 |
| State of Indiana | Seasonal Natural Resources Worker-Ferdinand State Forest | Ferdinand, IN | 04/10/2025 | $25,566 |
| Tyson Foods | General Labor, 2Nd Shift, April Evergreen, Forest MS | Forest, VA | 03/28/2025 | $32,766 |
| State of Indiana | Seasonal Natural Resources Worker-Selmier State Forest | North Vernon, IN | 03/07/2025 | $25,566 |
| Asplundh Tree Expert Co | Utility Forester Work Planner-Non-Union-PSE | Olympia, WA | 02/17/2025 | $38,610 |
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