Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Forestry technician salary
Average forestry technician salary
$35,758
Understanding Forestry Technician Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a forestry technician stands at $35,758 annually, which translates to approximately $17 per hour. This figure provides a baseline for those considering a career in forestry. It’s essential to recognize how salaries can fluctuate based on factors such as geographical location, years of experience, and specific job roles.
Geographical Impact on Salary
In states with abundant natural resources and strong forestry programs, salaries may be higher. For instance, states like California and Washington often offer competitive wages due to higher demand for forestry services. By understanding the highest paying states for forestry technicians, job seekers can strategically target their applications.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Forestry technicians can advance their careers by gaining additional certifications or specializing in areas such as forest management or environmental conservation. This not only enhances their skills but can lead to increased earning potential over time. As the demand for sustainable forestry practices grows, so do the opportunities for skilled technicians in this field.
Let Zippi find your next forestry technician job
Let Zippi find your next forestry technician job
Where can a Forestry Technician earn more?
Forestry technician salary estimates from across the web
Average forestry technician salary by state
The average forestry technician salary in Alaska, California, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average forestry technician salary states are Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for forestry technicians
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $40,075 | $19.27 |
| 2 | Alaska | $41,861 | $20.13 |
| 3 | Maine | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| 4 | Vermont | $40,006 | $19.23 |
| 5 | Mississippi | $39,167 | $18.83 |
| 6 | Nebraska | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| 7 | North Carolina | $39,474 | $18.98 |
| 8 | Nevada | $38,623 | $18.57 |
| 9 | Idaho | $37,402 | $17.98 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $39,917 | $19.19 |
| 11 | Alabama | $38,919 | $18.71 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $39,101 | $18.80 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $39,587 | $19.03 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $40,109 | $19.28 |
| 15 | Arizona | $36,843 | $17.71 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $35,682 | $17.15 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | $39,791 | $19.13 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $35,929 | $17.27 |
| 19 | Montana | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| 20 | California | $40,593 | $19.52 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $35,158 | $16.90 |
| 22 | Washington | $37,864 | $18.20 |
| 23 | Delaware | $37,555 | $18.06 |
| 24 | Michigan | $36,454 | $17.53 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $37,179 | $17.87 |
| 26 | Indiana | $35,897 | $17.26 |
| 27 | New York | $36,202 | $17.40 |
| 28 | Ohio | $36,051 | $17.33 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $34,921 | $16.79 |
| 30 | Utah | $33,892 | $16.29 |
| 31 | Missouri | $34,111 | $16.40 |
| 32 | Oregon | $33,533 | $16.12 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $33,953 | $16.32 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $34,341 | $16.51 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $34,189 | $16.44 |
| 36 | Virginia | $35,672 | $17.15 |
| 37 | Florida | $34,327 | $16.50 |
| 38 | Colorado | $33,592 | $16.15 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 40 | Georgia | $33,785 | $16.24 |
| 41 | Texas | $33,869 | $16.28 |
| 42 | Maryland | $35,068 | $16.86 |
| 43 | Wisconsin | $30,678 | $14.75 |
| 44 | Hawaii | $34,017 | $16.35 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $33,505 | $16.11 |
| 46 | Minnesota | $30,849 | $14.83 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $28,797 | $13.84 |
| 48 | Illinois | $30,683 | $14.75 |
| 49 | Iowa | $30,314 | $14.57 |
| 50 | Pennsylvania | $32,249 | $15.50 |
| 51 | Kansas | $29,763 | $14.31 |
Highest paying cities for forestry technicians
The highest-paying cities for forestry technicians are Fairbanks, AK, Redding, CA, and Gastonia, NC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairbanks, AK | $41,804 | $20.10 |
| 2 | Redding, CA | $40,949 | $19.69 |
| 3 | Gastonia, NC | $39,288 | $18.89 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $38,557 | $18.54 |
| 5 | Schenectady, NY | $37,204 | $17.89 |
| 6 | Tucson, AZ | $36,729 | $17.66 |
| 7 | Bismarck, ND | $36,644 | $17.62 |
| 8 | Albuquerque, NM | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | $35,789 | $17.21 |
| 10 | Columbus, OH | $35,759 | $17.19 |
| 11 | Billings, MT | $35,336 | $16.99 |
| 12 | Blacksburg, VA | $35,065 | $16.86 |
| 13 | Cedar City, UT | $34,717 | $16.69 |
| 14 | Homestead, FL | $34,315 | $16.50 |
| 15 | Muskogee, OK | $34,214 | $16.45 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $33,986 | $16.34 |
| 17 | Eugene, OR | $33,690 | $16.20 |
| 18 | Colorado Springs, CO | $33,689 | $16.20 |
| 19 | Eagan, MN | $30,766 | $14.79 |
| 20 | Des Moines, IA | $30,186 | $14.51 |
Forestry technician salary details
A forestry technician's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $45,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a forestry technician's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| Average | $35,758 | $2,980 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying forestry technician jobs
The highest paying types of forestry technicians are fire management officer, resource manager forester, and soil tester.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Management Officer | $77,536 | $6,461 | $37.28 | 121,051 |
| Biological Science Technician | $35,390 | $2,949 | $17.01 | 13,801 |
| Natural Resource Technician | $33,588 | $2,799 | $16.15 | 19,143 |
| Conservation Technician | $35,950 | $2,996 | $17.28 | 6,640 |
| Range Technician | $36,047 | $3,004 | $17.33 | 5,976 |
| Technician | $38,045 | $3,170 | $18.29 | 596,842 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for forestry technicians, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Chris Stockdale
Lead National Recruiter, Forest Service
Top companies hiring forestry technicians now:
Which companies pay forestry technicians the most?
Forestry technician salaries at Boulder County and City of Austin are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average forestry technician salary at companies like National Park Foundation and City of Round Rock are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder County | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| 2 | City of Austin | $43,991 | $21.15 |
| 3 | National Park Foundation | $41,306 | $19.86 |
| 4 | City of Round Rock | $41,294 | $19.85 |
| 5 | Mark-It | $41,057 | $19.74 |
| 6 | Forest Manufacturing Co | $39,399 | $18.94 |
| 7 | New York State Restaurant Association | $39,067 | $18.78 |
| 8 | Bureau of Land Management | $38,409 | $18.47 |
| 9 | Iowa State Association of Counties | $37,096 | $17.83 |
| 10 | Indian Health Service | $36,887 | $17.73 |
| 11 | Katmai Careers | $36,785 | $17.69 |
| 12 | City of Golden | $36,457 | $17.53 |
| 13 | City of Greeley | $36,235 | $17.42 |
| 14 | City of Columbus | $36,218 | $17.41 |
| 15 | Americorps | $36,141 | $17.38 |
| 16 | Iowa Department of Transportation | $36,027 | $17.32 |
| 17 | Spokane Tribe Of Indians | $35,945 | $17.28 |
| 18 | City of Billings | $35,816 | $17.22 |
| 19 | Town of Parker | $35,164 | $16.91 |
| 20 | City of Eagan | $34,984 | $16.82 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Forestry technician salary trends
The average forestry technician salary has risen by $3,370 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average forestry technician earned $32,388 annually, but today, they earn $35,758 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for forestry technicians over the last decade.
Compare forestry technician salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average forestry technician salary over time
Compare forestry technician salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Forestry technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,800 | $17.19 | +0.4% |
| 2024 | $35,600 | $17.12 | +3.1% |
| 2023 | $34,500 | $16.59 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $33,500 | $16.12 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $33,000 | $15.87 | +0.4% |
Recently added forestry technician salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota University System | Forest Health-2025 Seasonal Forestry Technician | Fargo, ND | 06/30/2025 | $43,827 |
| Department of The Interior | Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)-Direct Authority | Fairbanks, AK | 06/26/2025 | $64,561 |
| Department of The Interior | Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)-Direct Authority | Fortine, MT | 06/20/2025 | $57,098 |
| Department of The Interior | Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch) | Boise, ID | 06/18/2025 | $66,948 |
| Holden Forests & Gardens | Urban Forestry Technician | Kirtland, OH | 06/13/2025 | $33,392 |
| City of Watertown, Sd | Forestry Technician: Forestry Division; Parks & Recreation | Watertown, SD | 06/11/2025 | $47,486 |
| Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | Forestry Technician | Madison, WI | 06/10/2025 | $50,586 |
| Great Basin Institute | Forestry Technician-SIX Rivers NF (Orleans/Ukonom Ranger District) | Reno, NV | 06/05/2025 | $43,827 |
| City of Wentzville, Mo | Forestry Technician II (54796) | Wentzville, MO | 06/03/2025 | $60,377 |
| State of New York | Forestry Technician 1 | Islandia, NY | 05/22/2025 | $40,342 |
Forestry technician salary FAQs
Search for forestry technician jobs