Forestryat The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Graduates earn $31,441/yr in their first year — about 26.0% below the national Forestry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $433K; scenarios range from $415K to $429K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Tennessee
While UT Knoxville is a strong flagship university, the financial returns for its forestry program are shaped by regional realities. Many graduates find work with public agencies like the Tennessee Division of Forestry, the National Park Service in the Great Smoky Mountains, or in conservation roles. These are often passion-driven careers focused on stewardship, but they are subject to government pay scales, which tend to be modest, especially at the entry level. The private sector in this region is dominated by smaller timber and land management companies, which may not offer the high starting salaries seen in the Pacific Northwest’s corporate forestry sector. This creates a local job market with a lower salary ceiling than the national average reflects.
Your key takeaway: Aggressively pursue summer internships with federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service to get a crucial hiring advantage for those more competitive, stable government career tracks post-graduation.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Tennessee's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Forestry
How University of Tennessee stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Tennessee
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Tennessee, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Forestry offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Forestry trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Forestry at University of Tennessee
How does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Forestry program score?
This program scores 26/100 — on the lower end for Forestry. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Forestry earnings lower at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
Lower starting pay at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.