Forester salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Foresters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $76,330 a year ($36.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,380 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 16% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $66,010. There are 0.06 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| 25th percentile | $66,010 | $31.73 |
| Median | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| 75th percentile | $92,110 | $44.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,380 | $48.26 |
| Average (mean) | $78,950 | $37.96 |
Half of foresters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,360.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,180.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,935.77 |
| Weekly | $1,467.88 |
| Hourly | $36.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Forester salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $80,600 | 100 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $76,400 | 90 |
| Madison, WI | $69,620 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for foresters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $107,120 |
| Massachusetts | $89,650 |
| Alaska | $87,210 |
| South Carolina | $86,780 |
| Maryland | $86,100 |
| Connecticut | $84,820 |
| Iowa | $83,000 |
| Illinois | $82,160 |
| Oregon | $81,450 |
| Vermont | $80,750 |
See Forester pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $66,200 | $31.83 |
| Conservation Scientist | $66,680 | $32.06 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $86,230 | $41.46 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Microbiologist | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,450 | $42.04 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| Chemist | $78,860 | $37.91 |
| School Psychologist | $95,090 | $45.72 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $109,940 | $52.86 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,300 | $30.43 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forester make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for foresters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $76,330 a year, or $36.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of foresters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $100,380 a year. The top 25% earn $92,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,780 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $66,010 or less.
How many foresters work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 50 foresters are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.