Log Graders and Scalers Career, Salary and Skills
Log Graders and Scalers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $46,330 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 3,070. Wage data is published for 26 locations.
Occupation description
Grade logs or estimate the marketable content or value of logs or pulpwood in sorting yards, millpond, log deck, or similar locations. Inspect logs for defects or measure logs to determine volume.
O*NET code
45-4023.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$46,330
Hourly median
$22.27
Employment
3,070
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.25 | 2.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Speaking | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Writing | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Active Learning | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.88 | 2.88 |
Typical tasks
- Evaluate log characteristics and determine grades, using established criteria.
- Record data about individual trees or load volumes into tally books or hand-held collection terminals.
- Measure felled logs or loads of pulpwood to calculate volume, weight, dimensions, and marketable value, using measuring devices and conversion tables.
- Paint identification marks of specified colors on logs to identify grades or species, using spray cans, or call out grades to log markers.
- Jab logs with metal ends of scale sticks, and inspect logs to ascertain characteristics or defects such as water damage, splits, knots, broken ends, rotten areas, twists, and curves.
- Identify logs of substandard or special grade so that they can be returned to shippers, regraded, recut, or transferred for other processing.
- Arrange for hauling of logs to appropriate mill sites.
- Weigh log trucks before and after unloading, and record load weights and supplier identities.
Technology
- AS/400 Database
- Atterbury Consultants SuperACE/FLIPS
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Log Graders and Scalers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in PAMedian $44,550 · Employment 330
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in CAMedian $56,670 · Employment 320
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in WAMedian $61,580 · Employment 200
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in NCMedian $36,850 · Employment 200
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in ARMedian $42,340 · Employment 190
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in WIMedian $46,150 · Employment 180
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in IDMedian $57,620 · Employment 140
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in MSMedian $48,010 · Employment 130
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in GAMedian $39,830 · Employment 130
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in MEMedian $50,180 · Employment 120
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in TNMedian $35,920 · Employment 110
- Log Graders and Scalers Salary in ALMedian $44,950 · Employment 100
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.