How much does a faller make?
The median faller in the United States earns $52,100 per year, about $25.05 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all fallers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 45-4021.
Faller salary range
Pay for fallers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,180 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $82,360. The average (mean) wage of $57,110 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,180 | $16.91 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $41,360 | $19.89 | |
| Median (50th) | $52,100 | $25.05 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $63,390 | $30.48 | |
| 90th percentile | $82,360 | $39.60 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for fallers (SOC 45-4021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Faller salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Fallers earn the most in Oregon at $84,490 a year, and the least in Indiana at $26,210. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $84,490 | 180 |
| Idaho | $78,330 | 190 |
| Washington | $77,340 | N/A |
| South Carolina | $76,350 | 130 |
| Arkansas | $67,060 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $62,040 | 200 |
| California | $59,590 | 260 |
| Maryland | $58,300 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $54,110 | 140 |
| Michigan | $51,700 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $50,010 | N/A |
| Virginia | $48,340 | 330 |
| Ohio | $47,700 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $47,560 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $46,080 | 200 |
| Georgia | $39,380 | 170 |
| New York | $36,190 | 120 |
| Indiana | $26,210 | 40 |
State median wages for fallers (SOC 45-4021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for fallers
The BLS projects employment of fallers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 9.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 3,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 500 openings a year for fallers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a faller
The typical entry-level education for fallers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a faller earns
Employer, season, region, and level of responsibility shape pay. Supervisory and specialized roles pay above seasonal and entry-level work.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $84,490) and the lowest (Indiana, $26,210) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,130 people work as fallers in the United States. At $52,100 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Faller salary FAQ
How much does a faller make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a faller is $25.05. The middle half of fallers earn between $19.89 and $30.48 per hour.
What is the highest faller salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of fallers earn more than $82,360 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a faller make a year?
The median annual salary for a faller is $52,100. The average (mean) wage of $57,110 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a faller a well paid job?
At $52,100 a year, a faller earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,130 people work as fallers in the United States.
Which state pays fallers the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for fallers at $84,490 a year. Idaho ($78,330) and Washington ($77,340) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a faller a good career?
Employment of fallers is projected to shrink 9.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a faller?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for fallers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Farming & Outdoors salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.