Forestry graduates earn $58,784 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,916 and $73,142. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Forestry as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Natural Resources and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Forestry is a focused area of study within Natural Resources. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $58,784 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 133 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 2,243 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$41,189
Median Earnings · 4yr
$58,784
Colleges Offering
133
Graduates / Year
2,243
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,195
How Much Do Forestry Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Forestry, a typical graduate earns $58,784, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $44,916 and $73,142, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $41,189 at one year out to $58,784 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$58,784
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$58,499
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Forestry graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
$44,91625th pct.
$58,784Median
$73,14275th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $58,784 and an estimated $68,780 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.4 years.
Based on outcomes from 58 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,243 students who complete Forestry programs each year, the majority (54%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
20%54%
Bachelor's54%
Associate's20%
Master's16%
What Can You Do With a Forestry Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Forestry graduates show up in 4 different occupations, and Foresters pay the most at $76,400/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
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.
Monitor contract compliance and results of forestry activities to assure adherence to government regulations.
Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements and contracts for forest harvesting, forest management and leasing of forest lands.
Plan and implement projects for conservation of wildlife habitats and soil and water quality.
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.
Apply principles of specialized fields of science, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agriculture, to achieve conservation objectives.
Plan soil management or conservation practices, such as crop rotation, reforestation, permanent vegetation, contour plowing, or terracing, to maintain soil or conserve water.
Monitor projects during or after construction to ensure projects conform to design specifications.
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionTime ManagementSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.
Thin and space trees and control weeds and undergrowth, using manual tools and chemicals, or supervise workers performing these tasks.
Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
Provide information about, and enforce, regulations, such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety, and accident prevention.
Top Colleges for Forestry
Not sure where to study Forestry? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Forestry graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Natural Resources Programs
Forestry is not the only path through Natural Resources: 5 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Forestry program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Forestry shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $58,784 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $41,189 at graduation to $58,784 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +5.3% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 14,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Forestry Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Forestry graduates earn?
$58,784 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $44,916 and $73,142, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Forestry degree?
$41,189 in the first year out. That grows to $58,784 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Forestry degree?
Foresters are one path, and it pays a median of $76,400 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Forestry program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Forestry bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Forestry?
133 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Forestry degree worth it?
$58,784 median earnings four years out against $17,195 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Forestry and Natural Resources?
Forestry is the narrower of the two: Natural Resources covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Forestry-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Forestry graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Forestry graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Forestry graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $58,784, graduate study in Forestry tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Forestry graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average +2.3% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Conservation Scientists are among the strongest-growth roles at +5.3%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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