State Forester pay range
State of North Carolina · class code 32000113
- Class code
- 32000113
- Pay group
- NC24
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- North Carolina
- The State of North Carolina published pay range for State Forester is $87,740 to $171,095 per year.
- North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) keys this classification as class code 32000113.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Class specification
The OSHR class specification for this class is published by North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR). The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications. It was last revised 06/2018.
What the state says the job is
This position is responsible for assisting the Assistant Commissioner for Forestry in overall management of the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS). The State Forester reports directly to the Assistant Commissioner and provides supervision and guidance to: the two Assistant State Foresters; the Safety, Planning, and Analysis Division Director; the Aviation Division Director; and the three Field Division Directors (Coastal Plain, Piedmont and Mountain) in the following program areas: fire control, forest protection, forest management, administration, safety, planning, analysis, engineering, aviation, and overall field operations. Monitors and ensures uniformity and consistency in these program areas and other activities statewide. Works with the Divisions to identify and develop changes and additions to NCFS programs. Coordinates actions involving multiple Divisions.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Experience supervising employees. Experience managing statewide or local NCFS programs. Familiarity with Incident Command System (ICS) functions. Ability to establish and maintain solid working relationships. Ability to provide leadership. Ability to work independently.
Minimum qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Forestry from a Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredited institution and nine years of experience in a variety forestry program to include four years of responsible supervisory experience; or Registered by the North Carolina Board of Registration for Foresters and nine years of professional postregistration experience.
Special requirements
Those not registered at the time of hire must obtain registration as a Forester from the NC Board of Registration for Foresters within one year of employment. <h2
Quoted from the OSHR class specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) publishes this figure in OSHR salary schedules, joined to Class Specifications. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
Job titles and their salary grades come from the Class Specifications, joined to the salary schedule.