Forester salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Foresters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $74,710 a year ($35.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,500 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $76,400. Pay here is about the same as the District of Columbia statewide median of $74,710. There are 0.09 foresters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for foresters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,560 | $34.88 |
| 25th percentile | $74,700 | $35.92 |
| Median | $74,710 | $35.92 |
| 75th percentile | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Average (mean) | $85,330 | $41.02 |
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 | $6,225.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,112.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,873.46 |
| Weekly | $1,436.73 |
| Hourly | $35.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $66,430 | 70 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $59,430 | 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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $107,110 | $51.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Microbiologist | $114,800 | $55.19 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Conservation Scientist | $99,360 | $47.77 |
| Epidemiologist | $112,780 | $54.22 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $126,120 | $60.63 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $95,870 | $46.09 |
| Animal Scientist | $82,810 | $39.81 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $113,350 | $54.50 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Economist | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Political Scientist | $156,730 | $75.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for foresters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $74,710 a year, or $35.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid foresters make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of foresters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $109,500 a year. The top 25% earn $95,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for foresters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,560 a year, and a quarter of foresters earn $74,700 or less.
How many foresters work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 280 foresters are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.