What does a forestry manager earn?

The average salary is 56,100 SEK per month, but it can vary between 43,100 SEK and 64,000 SEK depending on experience, sector, and education level.

What education is required to become a forestry manager?

A post-secondary education such as a forest engineer (3 years) or a gamekeeper (5 years) is most common, often combined with internships or trainee programs.

Are there regional salary differences?

Yes, private employers and regions in southern Sweden tend to offer slightly higher salaries compared to the public sector.

What personal qualities are important in the profession?

Analytical skills, independence, good communication, and an interest in sustainability are central qualities.

What are the career prospects for forestry managers?

The outlook is positive with a stable number of available positions and increasing demands for digital and sustainable forest management.

Are benefits and bonuses common?

Yes, benefits such as company cars, wellness allowances, and performance bonuses are common in addition to the base salary.

Manager, forestry salary

58 000 SEK

Managers in forestry and agriculture etc.

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

43 800 - 68 200 SEK / month

Chefer & ledare

Average salary 58 000 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 43 800 - 68 200 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does a forestry manager do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Forestry manager salary – complete overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Manager, forestry

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What does a forestry manager do? – Tasks and work environment

A forestry manager is responsible for planning, leading, and following up forest management activities on large forest estates or for companies and organizations. Tasks include forest planning, harvest planning, environmental considerations, financial follow-up, and contact with contractors and landowners. The role often involves making decisions about forest maintenance, investments, and long-term strategies to ensure profitability and sustainability. The work environment is varied, combining office work and fieldwork in forest settings, requiring flexibility and good physical condition.

Salary development over time

The salary for forestry managers has shown steady and positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 54,500 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 56 100 SEK in 2023. The latest data from 2024 indicates a further rise to 58 000 SEK per month, representing a total increase of about 2.9% over three years. This trend reflects a continued strong demand for expertise in forest management, driven by increasing requirements for sustainability, digitalization, and nature conservation. The shortage of experienced managers and increased investments in forestry have also contributed to the positive salary development.

Forestry manager salary – complete overview

Average salary: 58 000 SEK/month
Lowest salary: 43,100 SEK/month (female, public sector, secondary education)
Highest salary: 64,000 SEK/month (male, private sector, post-secondary education)
Hourly wage: 337 SEK/hour
Gender differences: Men 57 600 SEK/month, women 53,000 SEK/month (highest known salary)
Regional differences: Data varies, but private employers in southern Sweden tend to offer slightly higher wages

Education and qualifications

To work as a forestry manager, a post-secondary education with a forestry focus is usually required, often supplemented with work experience and specialized courses in economics, environmental science, or law. Internships and trainee programs are common ways to build industry experience and networks. Digital skills and understanding of modern forest technologies are becoming increasingly important.

Formal education: Forest engineering program (3 years) or Gamekeeper program (5 years)

Certifications:

Internships: Long-term internships or trainee programs are recommended
Prerequisites: Basic eligibility and special eligibility in science subjects
Tips for choosing: Combine studies with summer jobs in forest management for practical experience

Many forestry managers get the opportunity to work closely with new technology, such as drones, satellite data, and advanced GIS systems, which quickly changes daily work and opens new career paths in digital forest management.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Forestry managers are often offered perks such as company cars, wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and options for remote work. Other common compensations include extra vacation days, professional development, and pension contributions beyond collective agreements. In some cases, performance bonuses and access to forest or hunting grounds are included.

Competition and challenges

The competition for forestry management positions is moderate, but employers demand high levels of formal education and practical experience. Challenges include increasing sustainability and certification requirements, complex legislation, and rapid technological changes. Managers are also expected to have good communication skills and be able to handle conflicts of interest among landowners, authorities, and contractors. Climate change and increased risks of forest damage also impact daily work and require continuous education.

Tips for those wanting to become a forestry manager

To succeed as a forestry manager, it’s beneficial to combine analytical skills with practical problem-solving and a genuine interest in nature and sustainability. Building a strong network during studies and taking initiatives for internships or summer jobs provides valuable contacts and industry insight. Good communication skills are essential, as dialogue with landowners and contractors is a central part of the job. Independence and decision-making ability under uncertainty are crucial, especially when planning interventions. Digital competence and willingness to stay updated on new technology can provide a competitive edge. Lastly, engagement in environmental issues and a solution-oriented approach are appreciated by employers.

Key facts about Forestry Managers

Average salary: 58 000 SEK/month
Education level: Post-secondary (3–5 years)
Work environment: Varies between office and field
Demand: 175 registered job openings
Special skills: Forest economics, environmental certification, GIS technology

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years of experience, a forestry manager can advance to senior roles, such as area manager, forest management director, or consultant within larger forestry companies or consulting firms. Some choose to specialize in certification, digital forest management, or environmental law. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, demand is stable with 175 current job openings, and long-term forecasts indicate a continued need for qualified managers driven by increased sustainability and digitalization requirements. Regional variations exist, with private employers and some regions offering higher salaries and more development opportunities.

Frequently asked questions about Forestry Managers

What does a forestry manager earn?
- The average is 58 000 SEK per month, but it can range from 43,100 SEK to 64,000 SEK depending on experience, sector, and education level.
What education is required to become a forestry manager?
- A post-secondary education such as forest engineering (3 years) or gamekeeper (5 years) is most common, often combined with internships or trainee programs.
Are there regional salary differences?
- Yes, private employers and regions in southern Sweden tend to offer slightly higher salaries compared to the public sector.
What personal qualities are important in the profession?
- Analytical ability, independence, good communication, and an interest in sustainability are key qualities.
What are the future prospects for forestry managers?
- The outlook is positive with a stable number of available positions and increasing demands for digital and sustainable forest management.
Are benefits and bonuses common?
- Yes, perks such as company cars, wellness allowances, and performance bonuses are common in addition to the base salary.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 20:27:39

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	54700 kr	57700 kr
45-54	55800 kr	57300 kr
Snitt	55700 kr	58000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44		49500 kr	49800 kr
45-54	81%	56300 kr	57500 kr
55-64	94%	63700 kr	64400 kr
Snitt	92%	56100 kr	56900 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44		49500 kr	49800 kr
45-54	81%	56300 kr	57500 kr
55-64	94%	63700 kr	64400 kr
Snitt	92%	56100 kr	56900 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
45-54		55800 kr	57300 kr
Snitt		55700 kr	58000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
45-54		55800 kr	57300 kr
Snitt		55700 kr	58000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt		55500 kr	57600 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44		48900 kr	48900 kr
45-54	81%	63000 kr	64800 kr
55-64	94%	65400 kr	65900 kr
Snitt	92%	58400 kr	59200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44		48900 kr	48900 kr
45-54	81%	63000 kr	64800 kr
55-64	94%	65400 kr	65900 kr
Snitt	92%	58400 kr	59200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt		55500 kr	57600 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt		55500 kr	57600 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
45-54	81%	51500 kr	52300 kr
55-64	94%	60900 kr	61800 kr
Snitt	92%	53700 kr	54500 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
45-54	81%	51500 kr	52300 kr
55-64	94%	60900 kr	61800 kr
Snitt	92%	53700 kr	54500 kr

* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.

Salary per sector

Salary based on education

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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Manager, forestry has the SSYK code 1380, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.