Forester salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Foresters in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $69,820 a year ($33.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,840 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $71,990. There are 0.03 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $73,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,900 | $24.95 |
| 25th percentile | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Median | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| 75th percentile | $81,630 | $39.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,840 | $48.96 |
| Average (mean) | $73,950 | $35.55 |
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 | $5,818.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,909.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,685.38 |
| Weekly | $1,342.69 |
| Hourly | $33.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Microbiologist | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,800 | $37.40 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Chemist | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| School Psychologist | $80,420 | $38.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $50,550 | $24.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for foresters in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $69,820 a year, or $33.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of foresters in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $101,840 a year. The top 25% earn $81,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,900 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $62,140 or less.
How many foresters work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 40 foresters are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.