How much does a forestry professor make?
a year · about $49 an hour
A typical forestry professor in the United States makes $101,420 a year, about $49 an hour, about 2× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A forestry professor may teach a lesson on forest science, then guide students through a lab or field study. Between classes, they prepare lessons, advise students, and—at many universities—do research.
Did you know? On a forestry professor's Costa Rica field course, students once shared a bridge with howler monkeys crossing in the branches overhead!
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $50,100 and $148,920How do you become one?
In the US, study forestry or a related subject, then usually earn a master's and PhD; university faculty jobs nearly always require a PhD. Gain research and teaching experience, often as a graduate teaching assistant, then apply for faculty jobs.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with experience and advanced degrees, location, and the type of college or university. Jobs with more research or other responsibilities, and full-time versus part-time schedules, can also affect earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Michigan ($138,130), lowest in California ($61,730).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,100 | $101,420 | $148,920 | about 2,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $138,130 | about 60 |
| Virginia | $132,820 | about 60 |
| Oregon | $126,930 | about 210 |
| Arizona | $115,730 | about 60 |
| North Carolina | $108,430 | about 90 |
Official definition: Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. Excludes “Agricultural Science Teachers, Postsecondary” (25-1041) and “Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary” (25-1053).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1043.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- grad.uga.edu/degree/phd-forestry-and-natural-resources
- www.canr.msu.edu/news/faculty-spotlight-david-skole
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY