45
Logging Equipment Operators is a notable career in the 45 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Logging Equipment Operators against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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13
| soc | 45-4022 |
| title | Logging Equipment Operators |
| onet code | 45-4022.00 |
| description | Drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories, such as bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell tree; to skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush. Includes operating stand-alone logging machines, such as log chippers. |
| job zone | 1 |
| major group | 45 |
| tot emp | 22,520 |
| a mean | 52,020 |
| a median | 49,210 |
| a pct10 | 35,050 |
| a pct25 | 43,750 |
| a pct75 | 60,640 |
| a pct90 | 72,280 |
| h mean | 25 |
| h median | 23 |
The day-to-day work of a logging equipment operators typically centers on inspect equipment for safety prior to use, and perform necessary basic maintenance tasks. 7 of these 8 tasks are Core O*NET duties; the remainder are common supplemental work. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, and Equipment Maintenance. Across the top 7 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.27 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working logging equipment operators, the most common entry qualification is a Less than a High School Diploma (55.4%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 0% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
Median annual pay is highest in Washington at $74,400 and lowest in West Virginia at $35,210 — a 2.1× spread. The top five states (Washington, California, Texas, Oregon, Alaska) average $62,858. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $74,400 | $72,120 | $58,690 | $81,960 | 1,150 |
| California | $62,000 | $63,200 | $51,150 | $74,360 | 940 |
| Texas | $60,220 | $54,180 | $33,580 | $65,380 | 670 |
| Oregon | $58,940 | $58,910 | $47,050 | $73,740 | 1,750 |
| Alaska | $58,730 | $62,800 | $43,320 | $84,250 | 40 |
| South Dakota | $58,370 | $56,420 | $39,050 | $89,640 | 70 |
| Idaho | $58,200 | $62,050 | $47,860 | $78,000 | 660 |
| Louisiana | $56,780 | $55,010 | $37,570 | $79,130 | 910 |
| Vermont | $55,050 | $50,570 | $32,900 | $60,940 | 90 |
| Illinois | $52,580 | $56,830 | $45,370 | $72,890 | 90 |
| Montana | $52,270 | $53,200 | $46,950 | $58,560 | 210 |
| Maryland | $51,920 | $54,270 | $39,420 | $67,820 | 80 |
| New Hampshire | $51,170 | $55,440 | $43,360 | $72,540 | 180 |
| Arizona | $50,870 | $53,810 | $40,890 | $72,490 | 40 |
| Colorado | $50,600 | $58,660 | $39,350 | $92,020 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $49,120 | $49,290 | $31,050 | $59,130 | 340 |
| Massachusetts | $49,000 | $51,100 | $39,630 | $73,760 | — |
| Alabama | $48,990 | $50,780 | $36,520 | $63,550 | 1,950 |
| Kentucky | $48,880 | $46,750 | $32,250 | $66,780 | 150 |
| Florida | $48,450 | $47,940 | $35,090 | $61,650 | 1,060 |
| Ohio | $48,360 | $47,670 | $30,580 | $58,280 | 290 |
| Wisconsin | $48,260 | $50,020 | $41,600 | $63,160 | 300 |
| Mississippi | $47,910 | $46,230 | $29,120 | $61,050 | 1,060 |
| Georgia | $46,970 | $50,360 | $32,320 | $70,310 | 1,810 |
| Michigan | $46,970 | $49,360 | $37,860 | $61,840 | 790 |
| Tennessee | $46,800 | $46,040 | $33,280 | $61,120 | 450 |
| Arkansas | $46,580 | $47,290 | $30,970 | $62,310 | 970 |
| South Carolina | $46,270 | $49,620 | $36,640 | $65,340 | 980 |
| Virginia | $46,170 | $49,190 | $31,390 | $73,870 | 760 |
| Indiana | $45,920 | $47,190 | $36,180 | $61,100 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $45,580 | $46,120 | $34,850 | $59,550 | 1,190 |
| Maine | $45,480 | $47,250 | $39,350 | $58,150 | 920 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,820 | $42,880 | $30,580 | $57,840 | 440 |
| New York | $42,760 | $47,600 | $35,460 | $64,880 | 360 |
| Missouri | $41,630 | $47,950 | $34,790 | $75,170 | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $37,440 | $41,500 | $29,710 | $57,070 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $35,210 | $39,890 | $27,520 | $67,070 | 420 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for logging equipment operators. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Buncher Operator or Chain Hooker frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Logging Equipment Operators compares to others in the 45 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Logging Equipment Operators
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.