Forestry England salary, 2026
Manages the nation's public forest estate (about 252,000 ha) including ecologist, wildlife ranger, and beat-forester roles.
Band-by-band ladder
Forestry England operates a Defra ALB pay framework distinct from Natural England and core Defra; bands run parallel to Civil Service grades but with operational allowances reflecting site-based working (estate, on-call, equipment). About 1,500 staff (Forestry England Annual Report 2023/24) manage the public forest estate of c.252,000 ha.
Wildlife Ranger is a specifically Forestry England title combining habitat management with deer-management responsibilities; the role typically sits at EO-equivalent on entry. Ecologists in Forestry England tend to be HEO-equivalent and above, often advising on European Protected Species (EPS) work and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) compliance.
Regional pay variation is modest within the framework; the New Forest, Forest of Dean and Kielder posts all pay to the same band, with site allowances or housing where relevant. Entry routes include the Defra ALB graduate strand and direct entry with an ecology or forestry-related degree.
Questions this page answers
- What is the Forestry England pay framework (separate Defra ALB scale)?
- What does a Forestry England Ecologist or Wildlife Ranger earn?
- How do Forestry England conservation posts differ from Natural England forestry posts?
- What is the typical entry route and grade progression in Forestry England?
- How does FE pay compare across regions?