U.S. Forest Service Salary

As of October 2026, the average annual salary for employees at U.S. Forest Service in the United States is $79,787. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $38. Salaries at U.S. Forest Service typically range from $70,165 to $90,452 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does U.S. Forest Service Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at U.S. Forest Service. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Human Resources Director - Virtual, with an annual salary of $188,834. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Full Time IT Project Coordinator (2220m)

$60,272 / year

Salary Range: $52,965 - $68,350

Special Events

FT Family Law Paralegal Buckhead (2218)

$94,236 / year

Salary Range: $84,938 - $104,490

Legal

FT Project Coordinator (2220)

$111,722 / year

Salary Range: $95,413 - $126,138

Human Resources

FT - Family Law Paralegal Marietta (2219)

$89,988 / year

Salary Range: $80,932 - $100,162

Legal

FT Administrative Assistant/Research Assistant - Perimeter Area (2202)

$66,604 / year

Salary Range: $59,838 - $74,153

Administrative Assistant IV

FT Office Manager (2214)

$94,664 / year

Salary Range: $82,057 - $105,947

Management

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

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About U.S. Forest Service: Company Profile

Website
www.fs.fed.us
Founded In
1986
Employees
15,000 - 50,000 employees
Industry
Business Services
Headquarter Location
BLACKSBURG
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media
About U.S. FOREST SERVICE
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass 193 million acres (780,000 km2). Major divisions of the agency include the National Forest System, State and Private Forestry, and the Research and Development branch. The mission of the Forest Service is "To sus

Employee Reviews: Insights on Salary, Culture & Work-Life

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into U.S. Forest Service's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.
Work is engaging, and the collaborative culture makes even complex challenges enjoyable. The leadership team encourages learning and provides opportunities to take on new challenges. Regular updates and open forums ensure we are all informed and aligned, fostering a strong sense of trust and shared purpose. It’s a great fit for those who enjoy structured but empowering environments.
This focus not only enhances my skills but also demonstrates a clear commitment to employee growth and career longevity within the firm. The institutional knowledge in this firm is invaluable. They prioritize our satisfaction, always willing to go the extra mile. This positive first impression has been validated every day since I started working here. Employees feel appreciated and valued. Strong ...
This company does a good job maintaining order and consistency. Collaboration across departments happens, though inconsistently. This creates a really enjoyable and productive work environment for a company of our moderate size. I appreciate how leadership encourages autonomy while offering guidance when needed.

Is U.S. Forest Service’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does U.S. Forest Service's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
CORPS OF ENGINEERS CIVIL $84,459
+5.9%
Adjusted for higher cost-of-living indices in CORPS OF ENGINEERS CIVIL's primary metro hubs.
HERTZ $82,043
+2.8%
Suggests HERTZ utilizes a highly similar base-plus-benefits compensation model.
COMM REAL ESTATE SVC $86,901
+8.9%
Reflects a supply-demand imbalance for the specific talent COMM REAL ESTATE SVC targets.
EAST LYNN LAKE $77,667
-2.7%
Reflects stabilized pricing equilibrium for commercial construction roles in this region.
Business Services Industry $120,931
+51.6%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

What Is the Cost of Living Near Roanoke?

Understanding the cost of living near Roanoke is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at U.S. Forest Service.
Roanoke's Cost of Living Index is approximately 83.2 (16.8% less expensive than US average; 20.1% less than VA average). Blue Ridge Mountains city, very affordable. Valley Metro. When planning your budget based on a salary from U.S. Forest Service, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $800 - $1,200+ A significant portion of U.S. Forest Service salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $130 - $220 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $40 (Valley Metro monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $370 - $550 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $300 - $600+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $350 - $650+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $1,990 - $3,220+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About U.S. Forest Service

FAQ 1: How much does U.S. Forest Service in the United States pay?
U.S. Forest Service pays its employees an average of $79,787 per year. The average salary at U.S. Forest Service range from $70,165 to $90,452 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills and location.
FAQ 2: Do U.S. Forest Service employees get a higher salary than its peer company?
The salary at U.S. Forest Service is lesser than its peer company. The average annual salary at U.S. Forest Service is $79,787, or an hourly wage of $38, in comparison to CORPS OF ENGINEERS CIVIL which pays $84,458 per year or $41 per hour.
FAQ 3: How much does salary increase with years of experience at U.S. Forest Service?
Salary progression with years of experience at U.S. Forest Service is typical. Generally, as employees gain more relevant experience, develop more skills, and take on greater responsibilities, their earning potential increases. For example, a role with 5-7 years of experience will usually pay more than the same role requiring 0-2 years.
FAQ 4: Do salaries at U.S. Forest Service vary by office location?
Yes, it's very likely that salaries at U.S. Forest Service vary by office location. Companies often adjust pay based on local market rates, cost of living, and talent competition in different geographic areas. For instance, a role in a high-cost city like New York City may offer a higher nominal salary than the same role in a lower-cost city like Omaha, NE. Our Cost of Living Insights for Roanoke section provides more context.
FAQ 5: Does U.S. Forest Service offer good benefits?
U.S. Forest Service typically offers a comprehensive benefits package that adds significant value to an employee's total compensation. Common benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan often with a company match, paid time off. For example, a strong 401(k) match or excellent, low-cost health insurance can be worth thousands of dollars annually, effectively increasing your overall earnings beyond your base salary. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at U.S. Forest Service" section on this page.