Job title · SOC 19-1032

Forester

Overview

Sourced

Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.

O*NET definition of Foresters (SOC 19-1032) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.

6,500

in government (SOC 19-1032)

62%

of this occupation works for government

$72,030

median pay in government

Federal · State

levels of government

Titles employers use

Area ForesterProcurement ForesterSilviculturistUrban ForesterDistrict ForesterEnvironmental Protection ForesterFire Prevention ForesterForest SilviculturistResource ForesterService Forester

How people usually get in Editorial

forestry degree. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Requirements

Sourced

Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 19-1032)

Education needed to enter: Bachelor's degree
Related work experience: None
On-the-job training: None

Education workers say the job requires

High School Diploma or the equivalent

Post-Secondary Certificate

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree

17%

Bachelor's Degree

73%

Master's Degree

Share of surveyed workers in Foresters (SOC 19-1032) naming each level as required to be hired, 48 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

How to get hired

Sourced

Conservation scientists and foresters typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resources, or a related field.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Conservation Scientists and Foresters”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Academy and training

Sourced

Training to become competent (BLS)

SOC 19-1032: None

Preparation level (O*NET)

Job zone: Considerable Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Federal grade and step: federal grade × step (GS/FWS/agency bands: FAA ATC, TSA SV, VA nurse, LEO special rates). Typical structure for a federal general schedule; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

GS/GL-5/7/9 entry (Pathways / recent grad; some law-enforcement jobs start higher, e.g. FBI special agents at GL-10)
Career-ladder promotions to full-performance level (GS-9/11/12/13)
GS-14/15 (competitive)
Senior Executive Service
within-grade steps 1–10 (steps 2–4 yearly, 5–7 every 2 yrs, 8–10 every 3 yrs)
special rates: law-enforcement special base rates (GS-3–10); LEAP 25% premium for criminal investigators only

Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).

Pay

Sourced

Federal

$76,400

State

$69,090

Local

$75,670

All government

$72,030

Private sector

$82,310

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer type	Workers	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
Federal	1,390	$61,110	$65,170	$76,400	$86,260	$93,640
State	3,690	$50,320	$58,510	$69,090	$83,000	$98,110
Local	1,420	$56,380	$64,510	$75,670	$89,890	$107,580
All government	6,500	$51,540	$61,840	$72,030	$85,150	$98,760
Private sector	3,930	$48,620	$65,070	$82,310	$103,270	$121,270

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Forester in 29 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

State	Job classes in the state plan	Annual range
Alabama	Forester 1 class · effective September 1, 2026 · Alabama State Personnel Department	$42,094 – $73,954
Arkansas	Forester, District Forester 2 classes · effective July 1, 2025 · Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management	$58,700 – $105,120
California	Forester I (Nonsupervisory), Forester III 2 classes · effective September 14, 2026 · California Department of Human Resources (CalHR)	$83,184 – $154,116
Delaware	Forester, Senior Forester 2 classes · effective July 12, 2026 · Delaware Department of Human Resources, Classification and Compensation	$48,116 – $81,722
Florida	Forester, Senior Forester 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management	$36,317 – $85,005
Georgia	Forester 1–4, Forester 1 Non Exempt, Forester 2 Non Exempt, +2 more 8 classes · effective July 10, 2024 · Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation	$35,619 – $73,288
Hawaii	Forester II–VI 5 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD)	$56,700 – $114,912
Indiana	Forester 3–1, Forester Specialist 2 3 classes · Indiana State Personnel Department	$42,900 – $79,846
Iowa	Forester 2–3 2 classes · effective June 19, 2026 · Iowa Department of Administrative Services	$56,992 – $98,634
Kentucky	Forester I–II 2 classes · effective September 16, 2026 · Kentucky Personnel Cabinet	$44,074 – $51,715
Maine	Forester I–II 2 classes · effective August 30, 2026 · Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources	$51,501 – $79,747
Maryland	Forester I, Forester Licensed 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM)	$55,710 – $93,533
Massachusetts	Forester I–III 5 classes · effective July 12, 2026 · Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD)	$67,058 – $118,661
Michigan	Forester-E, Forester-A 2 classes · effective October 1, 2026 · Michigan Civil Service Commission	$53,622 – $98,259
Mississippi	Forester I–II 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Mississippi State Personnel Board	$33,600 – $76,465
Nevada	Forester I–III 3 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM)	$52,200 – $95,630
New Jersey	Forester Trainee, Forester 2 classes · effective July 11, 2026 · New Jersey Civil Service Commission	$55,691 – $88,743
New Mexico	Forester, Senior Forester 2 classes · effective July 4, 2026 · New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification	$56,931 – $93,936
New York	Forester 1–4 4 classes · effective April 1, 2026 · New York State Department of Civil Service	$69,964 – $152,238
North Carolina	Forester I–III 3 classes · effective February 1, 2026 · North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR)	$45,431 – $87,654
Ohio	Forester 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation	$55,203 – $71,822
Oklahoma	Forester I–VI 6 classes · effective August 30, 2026 · Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management	$27,827 – $186,919
Pennsylvania	Forester 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration	$53,008 – $86,022
South Carolina	Forester I–II 2 classes · South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources	$40,086 – $78,540
South Dakota	Staff Forester 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes	$59,363 – $89,003
Tennessee	Forester 1–3 3 classes · effective September 1, 2026 · Tennessee Department of Human Resources	$43,572 – $81,900
West Virginia	Forester 1–4 4 classes · effective August 24, 2024 · West Virginia Department of Administration, Division of Personnel	$37,536 – $75,789
Wisconsin	Forester, Forester-Adv, Forester-Senior 3 classes · effective June 28, 2026 · Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management	$45,136 – $135,054
Wyoming	Assistant District Forester, District Forester 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Human Resources Division	$59,779 – $97,406

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 29 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

Schedule

Sourced

Work schedule

Regular

20%

Irregular

76%

Seasonal

Typical work week

Less than 40 hours

40 hours

37%

More than 40 hours

63%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2026). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Day-to-day work

Sourced

Establish short- and long-term plans for management of forest lands and forest resources.4.4
Plan cutting programs and manage timber sales from harvested areas, assisting companies to achieve production goals.4.3
Determine methods of cutting and removing timber with minimum waste and environmental damage.4.2
Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands.4.2
Perform inspections of forests or forest nurseries.4.2
Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.4.1
Supervise activities of other forestry workers.4.1
Provide advice and recommendations, as a consultant on forestry issues, to private woodlot owners, firefighters, government agencies or to companies.4.0
Develop techniques for measuring and identifying trees.4.0
Plan and supervise forestry projects, such as determining the type, number and placement of trees to be planted, managing tree nurseries, thinning forest and monitoring growth of new seedlings.4.0

The 10 most important of 24 core tasks for Foresters, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Foresters (SOC 19-1032) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

State	Workers	10th pct.	Median	90th pct.
California	820	$71,110	$107,120	$156,750
Massachusetts	130	$63,110	$89,650	$105,350
Alaska	80	$61,840	$87,210	$104,680
South Carolina	250	$59,310	$86,780	$102,670
Maryland	120	$35,970	$86,100	$109,500
Connecticut	60	$71,400	$84,820	$98,730
Iowa	50	$68,470	$83,000	$104,720
Illinois	220	$60,230	$82,160	$120,150
Oregon	670	$60,600	$81,450	$107,170
Vermont	80	$61,400	$80,750	$100,930
Texas	210	$60,590	$80,370	$101,980
Alabama	240	$50,240	$79,530	$95,400
Washington	950	$59,830	$78,460	$119,320
Pennsylvania	310	$47,590	$78,280	$111,970
North Carolina	Not published	$46,800	$77,870	$96,900
Georgia	370	$31,460	$76,970	$109,700
Minnesota	390	$57,910	$76,490	$105,080
Colorado	210	$52,090	$76,400	$97,410
Michigan	340	$57,620	$75,920	$98,570
Utah	40	$61,590	$75,210	$94,560
District of Columbia	Not published	$74,700	$74,710	$103,330
New York	280	$58,240	$73,710	$108,580
Ohio	160	$53,270	$73,320	$96,260
Tennessee	120	$56,950	$71,990	$91,870
Virginia	340	$47,200	$71,990	$100,610
Mississippi	110	$44,520	$71,280	$134,980
Arkansas	130	$47,750	$69,240	$91,170
New Mexico	50	$57,910	$69,240	$87,190
Wyoming	60	$61,110	$68,180	$88,880
Kansas	40	$57,240	$67,540	$87,230
Arizona	70	$49,940	$67,200	$88,710
Montana	240	$50,900	$67,200	$86,260
Maine	70	$54,070	$66,480	$87,810
Wisconsin	570	$48,780	$66,010	$88,090
Idaho	280	$48,110	$65,170	$80,770
New Hampshire	110	$46,800	$65,170	$97,670
South Dakota	120	$50,110	$64,460	$80,700
Florida	380	$49,920	$64,130	$112,660
Missouri	120	$48,240	$63,220	$86,630
West Virginia	100	$40,910	$62,550	$86,820
Indiana	160	$48,150	$61,110	$97,020
Kentucky	120	$49,940	$56,460	$88,710
Nevada	Not published	$47,340	$51,070	$93,360
Oklahoma	120	$48,280	$50,990	$102,300

44 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

05 Probation
Probation length and what ends it
Not yet collected
09 Benefits and pension
Pension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
Not yet collected
10 Union contracts
Bargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
Not yet collected
11 Transfers and lateral entry
Lateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
Not yet collected
14 Exam practice
Named entrance and licensing exams, with free practice tests where they exist
Not yet collected
15 Employer directory
Every public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules
Not yet collected

At a glance

Job familyPlanning, Engineering & Environment

LevelFederal, State

Pay structureFederal grade and step

Occupation code19-1032 Foresters

PreparationConsiderable Preparation Needed

Sources and verification

Alabama State Personnel Department — Alabama Merit Semi-Monthly Compensation Plan (effective 09/01/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Alabama state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management — Arkansas Executive Branch Pay Tables and Class Code List

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Arkansas state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) — California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (California state government publication, CalHR); facts republished with a link to the source

Delaware Department of Human Resources, Classification and Compensation — Delaware classification plan (class report) and FY2027 pay grade tables

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of Delaware government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management — Florida State Personnel System — Broadband Crosswalk (September 2026), Pay Grades and Broadband Pay Ranges (July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Florida state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation — Georgia State Salary Plans (SWD and LAW) with Job Profiles — September 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Georgia state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) — Hawaii Compensation Plans and Bargaining Unit Salary Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of Hawaiʻi government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Iowa Department of Administrative Services — Iowa FY 2027 Classification Plan and Pay Plans

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Iowa state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet — Kentucky Classified and Unclassified 37.5 and 40-Hour Salary Schedule (effective September 16, 2026) and Job Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Kentucky state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources — Maine State Government — Job Classification Specifications and Salary Schedules (BHR Salary Schedule Center)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Maine state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) — Maryland State Salary Plan (title order) and FY 2027 salary schedules (effective July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Maryland state government publication, DBM); facts republished with a link to the source

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD) — Massachusetts Executive Branch Bargaining Unit Job Codes and Salary Charts

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Commonwealth of Massachusetts government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Michigan Civil Service Commission — Michigan Civil Service Commission Compensation Plan, Sections A (Alphabetic List of Pay Ranges) and B (Numeric List of Pay Ranges)

Official source · data captured October 1, 2026 · Public record (State of Michigan government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Mississippi State Personnel Board — Mississippi Variable Compensation Plan FY 2027 and MSPB Career Catalog

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Mississippi state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) — Nevada Classified Service — Class Specifications and Compensation Schedules (Pay Policy 01 EE/ER and 06), effective July 1, 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Nevada state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Jersey Civil Service Commission — New Jersey State Title List and FY2027 salary schedules by Employee Relations Group

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of New Jersey government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification — New Mexico Classified Service — FY27 Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026) and Classification and Pay Listing (effective 7/30/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (New Mexico state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New York State Department of Civil Service — New York State Title and Salary Plan (Title and Salary Listing) and negotiating-unit salary schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Title listing: OPEN-NY Terms of Use (data.ny.gov) — free use for any lawful purpose, no attribution or share-alike required; salary schedules and title file on cs.ny.gov: public record (New York State government publications); facts republished with a link to the source

North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) — North Carolina Class Specifications and Graded Salary Schedules (DT, HP, LG, MH, NC, SW)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (North Carolina state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA) — O*NET 31.0 Database

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · CC BY 4.0

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. GovJobsWiki has modified some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation — Ohio State Classification Plan — Pay Range Booklet and Pay Range Schedules (rates effective July 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Ohio state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management — Oklahoma Pay Structures for State Employees (effective 08/30/2026) and OMES Job Catalog

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Oklahoma state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration — Pennsylvania Commonwealth Classification and Pay Plan (job classes and pay schedules)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources — South Carolina Classified Pay Structure and State Job Classifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Carolina state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes — South Dakota Class Code Master and FY27 Pay Structures

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Dakota state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Indiana State Personnel Department — State of Indiana Job Code Listing (August 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Indiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Human Resources Division — State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure — 2024 Market Rates (effective July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Wyoming state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Tennessee Department of Human Resources — Tennessee DOHR Alpha Comp Plan (September 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Tennessee state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

West Virginia Department of Administration, Division of Personnel — West Virginia Division of Personnel — Schedule of Salary Grades 2-26 (effective August 24, 2024) and Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (West Virginia state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management — Wisconsin Alphabetical Listing of Classifications and 2025-2027 Compensation Plan Pay Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Wisconsin state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

GovJobs Wiki — editorial structure and wording

GovJobsWiki editorial · not a sourced fact · GovJobsWiki editorial

Page data last changed October 1, 2026. How we verify · Report an error

Forester

Overview

Titles employers use

Requirements

Education workers say the job requires

How to get hired

Academy and training

Promotion ladder

Pay

State government pay plans

Schedule

Day-to-day work

Related jobs

By state

Not yet collected