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General

Forestry

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Forestry.

Entry Level Salary
$48,582
Median Salary
$81,100
Unemployment Rate
1.7%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
31.7%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $3,244,000
Entry (Early)
$48,582
Median (Prime)
$81,100
High (Prime)
$86,233

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-18k
+254k
+296k
$25k / yr
-108k
+164k
+206k
$50k / yr
-198k
+74k
+116k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
26
$25k / yr
Never
33
32
$50k / yr
Never
44
40

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-99%
151%
189%
$50k / yr
-91%
34%
53%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).

These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate26.9%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Conservation scientists and foresters

16.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$49,925
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$71,027|$73,920
openings
3,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.3%

Management occupations

6.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$128,621
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$121,455|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%

Postsecondary teachers

2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$28,964
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,873|$82,250
openings
123,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6%

Top executives

1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$154,407
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$137,869|$108,510
openings
305,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%

Firefighters

1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,197
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$92,685|$59,280
openings
26,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.7%

Life, physical, and social science technicians

1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,657
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$45,000|$59,510
openings
53,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.2%

Tree trimmers and pruners

1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,175
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,586|$50,960
openings
7,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.2%

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

1.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$88,527
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,029|$48,520
openings
113,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -3.7%

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing

1.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$48,582
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,795|$76,460
openings
123,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.5%

Biological scientists

1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,167
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,197|$99,760
openings
10,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.7%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 22 to 27 (American Community Survey).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2025–2035).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
forestry.Undergrad Certificate15$58,054 - $58,054
forestry.Associate's Degree45$31,204 - $53,373
forestry.Bachelor's Degree48$48,755 - $86,357
forestry.Master's Degree30$61,616 - $82,791
forestry.Doctoral Degree21Data N/A