What they do

Logging workers harvest trees from the forest. The trees harvested are then sent to places such as sawmills and pulp mills to be processed into commercial and industrial products. There are a variety of positions in the harvesting process, such as:

Fallers cut down trees in a controlled manner with hand-held power chain saws.

Logging equipment operators use tree harvesters to fell trees, shear off tree limbs, and cut trees into desired lengths. They drive tractors and operate self-propelled machines called skidders or forwarders, which drag or otherwise transport logs to a loading area.

Log graders and scalers inspect logs for defects and measure the logs to determine their volume. They estimate the value of logs or pulpwood, and what market it will be used in whether in lumber production or as raw material for the pulp and paper industry.

Where they work

Logging workers work in the outdoors, primarily in forests.

Education

A high school diploma is required with on-the-job training. Some jobs may require technical or vocational school degrees.

If you enjoy…

• Working outdoors

• Physical work

• Working with tools and machines

…then this may be a job for you!

Median Salary

~$46,746

Employment Growth

~1% from 2020-2030

Job Titles

• Feller Buncher Operator

• Harvester Operator

• Loader Operator

• Log Processor Operator

• Logging Equipment Operator

• Skidder Operator

• Log Grader

• Log Scaler

• Logger

• Tree Faller