Foresters Salary
Foresters in Alaska make a median of $87,210 a year, or about $41.93 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $105K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $83,607 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,643/month, or 28.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Alaska. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $87K get you in Alaska?
About foresters
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What this looks like in Alaska
Alaska sits well above the national pay line for foresters, local pay runs about 14% higher than the U.S. median of $76K. Rent runs $1,643/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level foresters (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $87K. Top earners bring in $105K or more, a $43K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track foresters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forester afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
Yes — at the median salary of $87K, rent takes 28.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for foresters in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new foresters typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,710/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is forester a high-paying job in Alaska?
Local pay is 14% above the national median — $87K here vs. $76K nationally.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for foresters?
Alaska pays $87K median vs. the U.S. average of $76K — that’s +14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $84K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do foresters make in Alaska?
The median is $87,210 a year, that works out to about $42 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,840, and experienced foresters can clear $104,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $87K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,812/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 28.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a foresters salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (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 foresters salary is worth about $83,607 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do foresters 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.