How much does a Forester make

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  2. Forester
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Forester

43 100 kr

Specialists and advisors in forestry

27 000 - 48 300 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Forester

Average salary 43 100 kr
Males 43 400 kr
Females 42 200 kr
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What does a forestry officer do? – Tasks and work environment

A forestry officer works with managing, developing, and protecting forests and natural resources. Tasks include practical fieldwork as well as strategic planning at the office. Common activities involve forest inventory, advising landowners, preparing forest management plans, environmental assessments, and work related to nature conservation and certification issues. They often collaborate with authorities, forestry companies, and private landowners. The work environment varies between office, meetings, and extensive outdoor work in different weather conditions and terrains.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the forestry profession has experienced stable and positive salary growth. In 2022, the average salary was 40,100 SEK per month, increasing to 41 600 SEK in 2023. In the latest year, 2024, the average salary has increased further to 43 100 SEK. This development represents an increase of approximately 7.5% over three years, indicating a strong demand for the professional skills. Factors influencing salary growth include increased demands for sustainability work, digitization of forestry, and a growing need for qualified advice related to climate issues. The salary increase is slightly higher than the average for similar professions and reflects the increased importance of specialized knowledge within the forestry sector.

Forestry officer salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 43 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,000 SEK/month (female, private sector, high school education)
  • Highest salary: 48,300 SEK/month (male, public sector, postgraduate degree)
  • Hourly wage: 259 SEK
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 42 200 SEK (97% of men's salary, men: 43 400 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salaries can vary depending on employer and region, but larger differences are mainly between private and public sectors and education levels.

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a forestry officer mainly involves higher education in forest science. The education provides both theoretical and practical knowledge about forests, ecology, economics, and leadership. To be eligible, one needs basic university eligibility with specific requirements in natural sciences, and the program often includes internships and field studies.

  • Formal degree: Forestry program, 5 years (300 credits) at SLU
  • Internships: Included practical components and field courses
  • Prerequisites: General university eligibility plus specific requirements in biology, mathematics, and chemistry
  • Courses/certifications: Additional courses in forest planning, environmental work, GIS, or nature conservation are advantageous
  • Tips for choosing: Interest in biology, nature, technology, and leadership is beneficial

Working as a forestry officer often involves long days outdoors in the forest, sometimes in tough weather conditions. Many experience that the proximity to nature and the variation between fieldwork and office tasks provide a special job satisfaction and balance that is hard to find in other professions.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Forestry officers are often offered perks such as company cars or mileage allowances for work-related travel, wellness benefits, professional development, and opportunities for further education. Many also enjoy flexible working hours and remote work options, especially for administrative tasks.

Competition and challenges

The profession is competitive, but the number of education spots is limited and the job market can vary depending on economic conditions and political decisions regarding forestry. Adapting to new technologies and increasing demands for sustainable forestry are challenges. Climate change, digitalization, and increased demand for certified forest advice require ongoing skill development. There is some uncertainty about future job opportunities since the profession is often included in broader occupational groups in statistics and forecasts.

Tips for aspiring forestry officers

To succeed as a forestry officer, it helps to be both analytical and practically inclined, as the profession requires the ability to combine fieldwork with strategic planning. A strong interest in nature and the environment facilitates studies and daily work. Developing good collaboration and communication skills is crucial, as the role often involves contact with landowners, authorities, and colleagues. The ability to adapt to new technological solutions and digital tools is increasingly important. Engagement and perseverance help manage periods of high workload and varied environments. Initiative and independence are valued by employers, especially in project-based tasks. A curious attitude towards research and development opens opportunities for specialization and career advancement within the profession.

Key facts about Forestry Officers

  • Education level: University degree, forestry program (5 years)
  • Work environment: Alternates between office and outdoor work, often outdoors
  • Occupational group: Specialists and advisors in forestry
  • Job openings: Approximately 360 in the profession (2024)
  • Gender distribution: Small salary differences, women earn 97% of men's salary

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a forestry officer can advance to leadership roles such as forest manager, project leader, environmental strategist, or advisor within larger forestry companies and authorities. Specializations in areas like nature conservation, certification work, or GIS open doors to research and educational roles. The outlook for future employment is uncertain according to the Swedish Public Employment Service, as the profession is part of a broader occupational group with no precise assessment. However, the number of job openings and stable salary growth indicate good opportunities for well-educated candidates, especially with experience in sustainability and digitalization.

Frequently asked questions about Forestry Officers

  • What does a forestry officer earn?
    - A forestry officer has an average salary of 43 100 SEK per month.
  • How to become a forestry officer?
    - The profession requires a five-year university education in the forestry program at SLU.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Yes, but the largest differences depend more on the employer and education level rather than the region.
  • What are the job responsibilities of a forestry officer?
    - Tasks include forest management, advising, environmental assessments, and planning.
  • Is it easy to find a job as a forestry officer?
    - There are about 360 job openings in the profession, but competition can vary depending on specialization.
  • How large is the salary gap between women and men?
    - Women earn 97% of what men do within the profession.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a forestry officer?
    - The highest salary is 48,300 SEK and the lowest is 27,000 SEK per month.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-11 19:59:55

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Forester is 48300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 45800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Forester is 27000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 33000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 97% 37000 kr 39600 kr
35-44 98% 41200 kr 44500 kr
45-54 41300 kr 43700 kr
55-64 42800 kr 46300 kr
Snitt 97% 40300 kr 43100 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 Forester has the SSYK code 2135, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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