Forester salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A forester earns a median of $76,400 a year ($36.73 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $79,170. About 10,430 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $76,400
- Gross pay
- $2,938.46
- Federal income tax
- −$306.85
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$182.18
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$42.61
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $2,406.82
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $76,400
- Federal
- $7,978
- FICA
- $5,845
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $62,577
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Historian: $76,750
- Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist: $76,780
- Soil and Plant Scientist: $78,850
- Conservation Scientist: $73,010
- Forensic Science Technician: $72,060
- Anthropologist and Archeologist: $70,770
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist: $82,220
- Survey Researcher: $69,460
BLS occupation: Foresters. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 19-1032). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forester make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $36.73; the average is $38.06.
What is the salary range for a forester?
The bottom 10% earn under $50,790 and the top 10% earn over $109,700 a year.
How much is $76,400 after taxes?
About $62,577 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $58,698 in California for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.