How much does a forester make in California?
$107,100a year
Median yearly pay for foresters in California. That is $51.50 an hour or $8,927 a month.
- Hourly
- $51.50
- Vs. national median
- +40%
- Rank among states
- 1 of 44
- Jobs in the state
- 820
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $71,110Median: $107,100Highest 10%: $156,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $71,110 | $34.19 | |
| 25th | $91,170 | $43.83 | |
| Median | $107,100 | $51.50 | |
| 75th | $130,400 | $62.71 | |
| 90th | $156,800 | $75.36 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $112,600 |
| Sacramento, CA | $107,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $107,700 |
| Fresno, CA | $102,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $93,340 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for foresters.
| 1. California | $107,100 |
| 2. Massachusetts | $89,650 |
| 3. Alaska | $87,210 |
| 4. South Carolina | $86,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forester make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $51.50 ($107,100 a year).
Do foresters make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $107,100 against $76,400 nationally, 40% more.
Where does California rank for forester pay?
California ranks 1 of 44 states.
Which city in California pays foresters the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $112,600 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.