Forest and Conservation Workers Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Forest and Conservation Workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN make a median of $55,790 a year, or about $26.82 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $88K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $53,857 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 48.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $56K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About forest and conservation workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level forest and conservation workers (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $56K.Top earners bring in $88K or more - a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Forest and Conservation Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $64K | +48% | 60 |
| Ohio | $53K | +22% | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $49K | +13% | 220 |
| Arkansas | $46K | +6% | N/A |
| Idaho | $46K | +5% | 60 |
| California | $44K | +0% | 1,840 |
| Massachusetts | $44K | -0% | N/A |
| Washington | $43K | -0% | 200 |
| Missouri | $43K | -1% | N/A |
| Oregon | $43K | -2% | 140 |
| New Jersey | $42K | -5% | 60 |
| Louisiana | $41K | -7% | 210 |
| Tennessee | $40K | -8% | 220 |
| Indiana | $40K | -8% | 40 |
| Texas | $39K | -11% | 50 |
Track forest and conservation workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
Related careers in Farming & Fishing
Frequently asked questions
How much do forest and conservation workers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $55,790 a year - that works out to about $26.82 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,070, and experienced forest and conservation workers can clear $87,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $56K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,675/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 48.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a forest and conservation workers salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median forest and conservation workers salary is worth about $53,857 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do forest and conservation workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.