Forester salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Foresters in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median of $89,780 a year ($43.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,390 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 10% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $81,450. There are 0.15 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,200, close to the median.
Pay range for foresters in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,130 | $30.83 |
| 25th percentile | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Median | $89,780 | $43.16 |
| 75th percentile | $101,870 | $48.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,390 | $54.03 |
| Average (mean) | $89,200 | $42.89 |
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 | $7,481.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,740.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,453.08 |
| Weekly | $1,726.54 |
| Hourly | $43.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $89,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | $89,220 | 110 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,310 | 240 |
| Corvallis, OR | $81,450 | 40 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $79,980 | 60 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $78,460 | 30 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $76,600 | 110 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $76,600 | 80 |
| Medford, OR | $76,400 | 40 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $74,710 | 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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $112,640 | $54.16 |
| Conservation Scientist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $89,880 | $43.21 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $95,600 | $45.96 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $94,940 | $45.64 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $80,050 | $38.49 |
| Microbiologist | $90,460 | $43.49 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $109,580 | $52.69 |
| Epidemiologist | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,660 | $30.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $97,410 | $46.83 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Biological Technician | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $86,680 | $41.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median salary for foresters in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $89,780 a year, or $43.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The top 10% of foresters in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn at least $112,390 a year. The top 25% earn $101,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,130 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $73,740 or less.
How many foresters work in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
About 180 foresters are employed in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.