Are American foresters underpaid?

[keppoch]

when you say foresters in america do you mean a forestry degree (BSc) 4-5 yr program because in canada that is what we class as a forester ,and we have Forest Technicians as well and thats a 2 year program .The forest techs pay scale top out around 55 and the forester tops out around 60+

[Phorester]

Yep, in the U S of A a professional forester is considered by people in the profession as one who has at least a 4 year BS degree, forest technician as one who has a 2 year techincal degree.

 I guess these figures take into consideration the exchange rate?  And if they were developed when the US dollar was worth a lot less than the Canadian, then of course it would give the Canadian salaries the illusion of being more.

Also, at VA Tech, which has a reputation as a good forestry colleage, tuition and dormitory housing right now runs around $14 - 15,000 per year based on the standard 2-semester college year.

[SwampDonkey]

I don't think that can be too far off the mark we pay here. I remember it costing about $9500 with tuition and living expenses back in the early nineties. The years I went the tuition climbed every year by $800, it wasn't even a set percentage like inflation. $800 got piled on top each year. It seems that during that period tuition began to climb fast. Before that, the tuition was well under $2000, plus living expensive and lodgings. Rent is real high in that town (Fredericton) in my opinion even for a run down slum. I think there is a cap now of $29500 for total tuition for your degree. You used to be able to cover your tuition, books and living with a summer job. That's how they have allowed things to escalate. You can't keep up.

[Ron Wenrich]

When I went to college, I made it through on just the interest of $30,000.  That paid for room, board, tuition, books and transportation.  If you figured the interest rate at 4%, then I went for less than $1200/year.  Factor in inflation, and that would be the same as $7800/year in 2009. 

I know a 2 year tech that went to college with me.  He became a logger, and now has a substantial operation, with a much higher net worth than me.  Its also higher than one of my roommates that went on to get his Masters and is in charge of a department in Idaho.

Its not the degree, its what you do with it.  Some guys are satisfied with making a decent living, others want to set the world on fire, and others just crash and burn. 

[Samuel]

My numbers come from advertised positions and personal communication.  I commonly view jobs on some Canadian sites (Canadian-forests.com, government job sites) and American sites (usaforestry.com, SAF). 

What I see is that neither entry level nor upper level jobs in the USA command high salaries.  For example, a forestry technician or summer student might get $3600 a month in British Columbia, or $2800/month in Manitoba.  An entry level Forester positions commands a range of 52-64K per year in both places.  Upper level may be over 100K.

I am not sure what people are being paid in the US besides the websites I browse from time to time, but comparing Manitoba, BC and Alberta comes with extreme difference.  In Alberta, wages are somewhat higher than in other parts of Canada simply because of supply and demand.  As a Forestry Professional suits the oil patch so well, forestry companies are competing for skilled workforce.  With that said, the standard of living is more expensive in Alberta, compared to Manitoba or most other Canadian provinces.

As far as $35 000 per year in northern Alberta, I hope you like Kraft Dinner and pouched Mule Deer...