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Occupation · SOC 19-1032

Foresters

There are 10,430 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $76,400 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
10,430
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$76,400
Median pay a year
Middle half: $62,710–$91,640
900
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.2%
19
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 48 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $74,710 · LCA filings 1280$74,7101
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $86,310 · LCA filings 0240$86,3100
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay $89,780 · LCA filings 0180$89,7800
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $85,610 · LCA filings 0130$85,6100
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $107,690 · LCA filings 0110$107,6900
Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater, WAMedian pay $76,600 · LCA filings 0110$76,6000
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAMedian pay $107,750 · LCA filings 0110$107,7500
Salem, ORMedian pay $89,220 · LCA filings 1110$89,2201
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $80,600 · LCA filings 3100$80,6003
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $86,070 · LCA filings 290$86,0702

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$112,560700
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$107,7501100
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$107,6901100
Fresno, CAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$102,540300
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$93,340400

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 10031100
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 902290
Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway, AREmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 402140
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 28011280
Salem, OREmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 11011110

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $77,792 · Level III $85,259 · Level IV $92,706$70,346$77,792$85,259$92,706
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $78,957 · Level III $93,350 · Level IV $107,765$64,542$78,957$93,350$107,765
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $78,624 · Level III $89,107 · Level IV $99,570$68,162$78,624$89,107$99,570
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $74,194 · Level III $86,944 · Level IV $99,715$61,422$74,194$86,944$99,715
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $105,248 · Level III $118,872 · Level IV $132,517$91,603$105,248$118,872$132,517
Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater, WALevel II $69,326 · Level III $79,955 · Level IV $90,563$58,718$69,326$79,955$90,563
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CALevel II $103,605 · Level III $118,414 · Level IV $133,224$88,795$103,605$118,414$133,224
Salem, ORLevel II $75,587 · Level III $86,403 · Level IV $97,219$64,771$75,587$86,403$97,219
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $69,971 · Level III $81,286 · Level IV $92,581$58,677$69,971$81,286$92,581
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $66,747 · Level III $79,872 · Level IV $93,018$53,602$66,747$79,872$93,018
Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway, ARLevel II $58,344 · Level III $66,685 · Level IV $75,046$49,982$58,344$66,685$75,046

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
ForestryCIP 03.05Varies by program94Varies by program
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchCIP 03.01STEM OPT · up to 36 months1,233STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Foresters in every metro area

All 48 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology