Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Using physical effort and endurance safely and effectively over time.
Using precise hand and finger movements to control tools, equipment, or materials.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Logging workers typically need a high school diploma, although some jobs do not require a formal educational credential. These workers get on-the-job training to become familiar with forest environments and to learn how to operate logging machinery. PayThe median annual wage for logging workers was $49,660 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of logging workers is projected to decline 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 5,000 openings for logging workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for logging workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of logging workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about logging workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for logging workers was $49,660 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of logging workers is projected to decline 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 5,000 openings for logging workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for logging workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of logging workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about logging workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of logging workers is projected to decline 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 5,000 openings for logging workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for logging workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of logging workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about logging workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Logging workers harvest trees to provide the raw material for many consumer goods and industrial products.
Work Environment
Logging is physically demanding and can be dangerous. Workers spend all their time outdoors, sometimes in poor weather and often in isolated areas. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Logging Worker
Logging workers typically need a high school diploma, although some jobs do not require a formal educational credential. These workers get on-the-job training to become familiar with forest environments and to learn how to operate logging machinery.
Pay
The median annual wage for logging workers was $49,660 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of logging workers is projected to decline 5 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 5,000 openings for logging workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for logging workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of logging workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about logging workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Logging is physically demanding and can be dangerous. Workers spend all their time outdoors, sometimes in poor weather and often in isolated areas. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Logging Worker
Logging workers typically need a high school diploma, although some jobs do not require a formal educational credential. These workers get on-the-job training to become familiar with forest environments and to learn how to operate logging machinery.
Pay
The median annual wage for logging workers was $49,660 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of logging workers is projected to decline 5 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 5,000 openings for logging workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for logging workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of logging workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about logging workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for logging workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of logging workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about logging workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about logging workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.