Forester salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Foresters in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $93,340 a year ($44.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,710 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 13% lower than the California statewide median of $107,120. There are 0.02 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $98,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,140 | $35.16 |
| 25th percentile | $84,870 | $40.80 |
| Median | $93,340 | $44.88 |
| 75th percentile | $108,610 | $52.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,710 | $63.32 |
| Average (mean) | $98,060 | $47.15 |
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 | $7,778.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,889.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,590 |
| Weekly | $1,795 |
| Hourly | $44.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $93,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $112,560 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $107,750 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $107,690 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $102,540 | 30 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $130,980 | $62.97 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,350 | $52.09 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $121,740 | $58.53 |
| Microbiologist | $108,900 | $52.36 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $93,500 | $44.95 |
| Epidemiologist | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,200 | $37.60 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,930 | $41.31 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $75,970 | $36.52 |
| Biological Technician | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,090 | $34.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,230 | $48.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for foresters in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $93,340 a year, or $44.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of foresters in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $131,710 a year. The top 25% earn $108,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,140 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $84,870 or less.
How many foresters work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 40 foresters are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.