Forest and Conservation Workers Salary
Forest and Conservation Workers in Idaho make a median of $59,460 a year, or about $28.59 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $61K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.88), which stretches that salary to about $63,336 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,136/month, or 29.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Idaho. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $59K get you in Idaho?
About forest and conservation workers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Idaho
Idaho sits well above the national pay line for forest and conservation workers, local pay runs about 36% higher than the U.S. median of $44K. Rent runs $1,136/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.88 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Idaho
Entry-level forest and conservation workers (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K. Top earners bring in $61K or more, a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track forest and conservation workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Idaho numbers change.
Related careers in Farming & Fishing
Frequently asked questions
Can a forest and conservation worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Idaho?
Yes — at the median salary of $59K, rent takes 28.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,136/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for forest and conservation workers in Idaho?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forest and conservation workers typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,309/month. At HUD’s $1,136/month FMR, rent would take 49% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is forest and conservation worker a high-paying job in Idaho?
Local pay is 36% above the national median — $59K here vs. $44K nationally.
How does Idaho compare to the national average for forest and conservation workers?
Idaho pays $59K median vs. the U.S. average of $44K — that’s +36%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $63K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do forest and conservation workers make in Idaho?
The median is $59,460 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,480, and experienced forest and conservation workers can clear $60,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Idaho?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,952/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,136/month, which eats 28.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a forest and conservation workers salary go in Idaho?
Idaho has a Regional Price Parity of 93.88 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median forest and conservation workers salary is worth about $63,336 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.