How much does a forester make in Chicago?
$85,610a year
Median yearly pay for foresters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $41.16 an hour or $7,134 a month.
- Hourly
- $41.16
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among cities
- 13 of 52
- Jobs in the area
- 130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $60,210Median: $85,610Highest 10%: $120,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,210 | $28.95 | |
| 25th | $66,950 | $32.19 | |
| Median | $85,610 | $41.16 | |
| 75th | $107,400 | $51.63 | |
| 90th | $120,400 | $57.89 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for foresters.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $137,100 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $133,500 |
| Materials Scientist | $133,300 |
| Physical Scientist | $121,700 |
| Geoscientist | $114,000 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $112,800 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $104,600 |
| Epidemiologist | $103,800 |
| Political Scientist | $103,800 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $101,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forester make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $41.16 ($85,610 a year).
Do foresters make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $85,610 against $76,400 nationally, 12% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $82,160, so Chicago pays 4% more.
Where does Chicago rank for forester pay?
13 of 52 metro areas with data.
How much does a forester make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $60,210 or less a year; the top 10% make $120,400 or more.
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.