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.
Forestry is a focused area of study within Natural Resources. Graduates typically earn around $58,784 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 133 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 2,243 students complete this program each year, most earning 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?
Forestry graduates earn $58,784 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,916 and $73,142. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $41,189 climbs to $58,784 by year four.
$41,189
1 Year After Graduation
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
There is a moderate earnings spread across Forestry graduates. 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 59 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?
Forestry connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Foresters leads at $76,400/yr median. Expand any card 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
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Forestry students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
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.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 16,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
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?
Forestry graduates earn a national median of $58,784 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,916 and $73,142. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Forestry degree?
One year after graduation, Forestry degree holders earn a median of $41,189. That climbs to $58,784 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Forestry degree?
Forestry degree holders pursue careers including Foresters, which pays a median of $76,400/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Forestry program take?
A Forestry bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Forestry?
133 colleges and universities in the United States offer Forestry programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Forestry degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $58,784 and an average net price of roughly $17,195/yr, a Forestry degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Forestry and Natural Resources?
Forestry is a focused concentration within the broader Natural Resources field. The Natural Resources major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Forestry-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Forestry graduates?
Employers hiring Forestry graduates consistently prioritize 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.
Is graduate school worth it for Forestry graduates?
With a median salary of $58,784, graduate study in Forestry can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Forestry graduates?
The job outlook for Forestry graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +1.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Conservation Scientists is among the strongest-growth roles at +3.4%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Natural Resources Programs
Other programs in Natural Resources. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
Major earnings
Highest paying majors
Job growth
STEM
Field of study
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
Engineering
Program earnings
Applied degree
Technician careers
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
STEM earnings
Engineering pay
Computer science
Program earnings
Major choice
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
