Forester salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Foresters in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $112,560 a year ($54.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,130 for the top 10%. That is 47% higher than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is 5% higher than the California statewide median of $107,120. There are 0.03 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $119,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,420 | $47.32 |
| 25th percentile | $102,660 | $49.36 |
| Median | $112,560 | $54.11 |
| 75th percentile | $130,430 | $62.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,130 | $77.95 |
| Average (mean) | $119,110 | $57.26 |
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 | $9,380 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,690 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,329.23 |
| Weekly | $2,164.62 |
| Hourly | $54.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $112,560 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $107,750 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $107,690 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $102,540 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $93,340 | 40 |
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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $160,180 | $77.01 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $138,160 | $66.42 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $165,050 | $79.35 |
| Microbiologist | $130,070 | $62.53 |
| Conservation Scientist | $97,810 | $47.02 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| Epidemiologist | $130,400 | $62.69 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $99,230 | $47.71 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $134,810 | $64.81 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Biological Technician | $95,220 | $45.78 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $126,860 | $60.99 |
| Chemist | $127,790 | $61.44 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $77,670 | $37.34 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for foresters in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $112,560 a year, or $54.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of foresters in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $162,130 a year. The top 25% earn $130,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,420 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $102,660 or less.
How many foresters work in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
About 70 foresters are employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.