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.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
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
How to Become a Logging Worker Physical strength and stamina are important for some logging workers. Logging workers typically need a high school diploma, although some jobs do not require a formal
Education
al credential. These workers get on-the-job
Training
to become familiar with forest environments and to learn how to operate logging machinery. Education Education requirements for logging workers vary. Some jobs do not require a formal educational credential, while others require a high school diploma or the equivalent. Some vocational or technical schools and community colleges offer associate’s degrees or certificates related to logging or forest technology. Programs may include technical instruction and field sessions to observe logging activities or provide opportunities for students to gain experience operating logging equipment. Training Most logging workers learn their skills through on-the-job training. The length of training varies but may last up to a year. Training typically covers topics such as safety, familiarization with logging practices, and training on logging machinery. Some sessions take place in the field, where trainees have the opportunity to practice various logging techniques and use particular equipment. Training providers include state agencies, trade associations, and employers.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Some states require licensure or certification for certain logging workers. Requirements vary by state. For more information, contact your state licensing board. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. In addition, logging companies and trade associations offer training for workers who operate large machinery and equipment. This training often culminates in a state-recognized safety certification from the logging company.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Overall employment of logging workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline. About 5,000 openings for logging workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment The mechanization of logging operations and improvements in logging equipment have increased productivity, which is expected to reduce demand for logging workers. However, the need to prevent destructive wildfires by thinning susceptible forests is expected to support some employment. Logging Workers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Forest, conservation, and logging workers -4% Logging workers -5% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Logging Workers Do
Some logging workers harvest trees using handheld equipment or large machinery. Others inspect, grade, or estimate the market value of harvested trees, which provide the raw material for consumer and industrial products.
Duties
Logging workers typically do the following:
- Cut down trees using mechanical equipment or chain saws
- Operate machinery that moves logs
- Shear trees and cut logs into desired lengths
- Separate logs by species and type of wood and load them onto trucks
- Grade logs according to characteristics such as knot size and straightness
- Inspect equipment for safety and perform basic maintenance, as needed
Logging crews cut down trees and prepare them for transportation and eventual commercial use. The following are examples of types of logging workers:
Fallers cut down trees with hand-held power chain saws. They assess where they want a tree to fall and then determine the position, dimension, and depth of cuts to make. After cutting down the tree, a faller may cut off the top using hand-held power chain saws or other tools. Fallers typically work as part of logging operations where the terrain is inaccessible to large logging equipment.
Logging equipment operators use tree harvesters, or feller bunchers, 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. They also operate log loaders to sort and load logs onto trucks for transportation offsite. In addition, they may tend machines that chip up logs.
Log graders and scalers inspect logs for defects and measure the logs to determine their volume. They also estimate the value of logs or pulpwood. These workers often use hand-held data collection devices into which they enter data about trees.
Other logging workers may set up cable systems to move felled trees or use hand-held power chain saws and other tools to remove branches or bark from trees.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Logging workers held about 40,400 jobs in 2025. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up logging workers was distributed as follows:
| Logging equipment operators | 29,300 |
| Log graders and scalers | 4,400 |
| Fallers | 4,300 |
| Logging workers, all other | 2,400 |
The largest employers of logging workers were as follows:
| Logging | 49% |
| Self-employed workers | 30 |
| Sawmills and wood preservation | 11 |
| Landscaping services | 3 |
Log graders and scalers typically work in sawmills, wood product manufacturing settings, or lumber yards.
Logging is physically demanding and can be dangerous. Workers spend all of their time outdoors, sometimes in poor weather and often in isolated areas.
Logging work involves lifting, climbing, and other strenuous activities, although machinery has reduced some heavy labor.
Injuries and Illnesses
Despite the industry’s emphasis on safety, logging workers are sometimes injured on the job. Although fatalities are uncommon, logging workers experience one of the highest rates of occupational fatalities of all occupations. Most fatalities occur through contact with a machine or an object, such as a log.
Falling branches, vines, and rough terrain are constant hazards, as are risks associated with felling trees and handling logs. Chain saws and other power equipment also can be dangerous. Workers must take precautions and follow safety protocols, which often include wearing hardhats, safety glasses, and other personal protective equipment.
Work Schedules
Most logging workers are full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules may vary to include early mornings or extended shifts. Workers sometimes commute long distances between their homes and logging sites. Logging work may be seasonal in some regions of the country.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Logging workers must coordinate with other crew members so that they can harvest trees efficiently and safely. Decision-making skills. Logging workers must be able to make judgment calls, sometimes quickly, especially when hazards arise. Detail oriented. Logging workers must closely monitor tree conditions and follow instructions to safely harvest lumber. Physical stamina. Logging workers need to be able to perform laborious tasks repeatedly. Physical strength. Logging workers must be able to handle heavy equipment.
More Information
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.
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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.