How much does a log grader and scaler make?
The median log grader and scaler in the United States earns $46,330 per year, about $22.27 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all log graders and scalers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 45-4023.
Log grader and scaler salary range
Pay for log graders and scalers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $34,950 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $62,400. The average (mean) wage of $47,770 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 | $34,950 | $16.80 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,780 | $18.16 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,330 | $22.27 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $56,250 | $27.04 | |
| 90th percentile | $62,400 | $30.00 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for log graders and scalers (SOC 45-4023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Log grader and scaler salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Log graders and scalers earn the most in Washington at $61,580 a year, and the least in Tennessee at $35,920. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $61,580 | 200 |
| Oregon | $60,250 | 50 |
| Idaho | $57,620 | 140 |
| California | $56,670 | 320 |
| Michigan | $51,810 | 50 |
| Maine | $50,180 | 120 |
| Ohio | $49,710 | 30 |
| Mississippi | $48,010 | 130 |
| Louisiana | $47,510 | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $46,530 | 30 |
| Indiana | $46,160 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $46,150 | 180 |
| Kentucky | $45,330 | 80 |
| Alabama | $44,950 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,550 | 330 |
| South Carolina | $44,370 | 40 |
| West Virginia | $43,040 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $42,340 | 190 |
| Georgia | $39,830 | 130 |
| Florida | $39,040 | 70 |
| Missouri | $37,440 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $36,850 | 200 |
| Virginia | $36,220 | 80 |
| Texas | $36,100 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $35,920 | 110 |
State median wages for log graders and scalers (SOC 45-4023), 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 log graders and scalers
The BLS projects employment of log graders and scalers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 2.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 600 openings a year for log graders and scalers. 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 log grader and scaler
The typical entry-level education for log graders and scalers 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 log grader and scaler 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 (Washington, $61,580) and the lowest (Tennessee, $35,920) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,070 people work as log graders and scalers in the United States. At $46,330 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Log grader and scaler salary FAQ
How much does a log grader and scaler make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a log grader and scaler is $22.27. The middle half of log graders and scalers earn between $18.16 and $27.04 per hour.
What is the highest log grader and scaler salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of log graders and scalers earn more than $62,400 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a log grader and scaler make a year?
The median annual salary for a log grader and scaler is $46,330. The average (mean) wage of $47,770 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 log grader and scaler a well paid job?
At $46,330 a year, a log grader and scaler earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,070 people work as log graders and scalers in the United States.
Which state pays log graders and scalers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for log graders and scalers at $61,580 a year. Oregon ($60,250) and Idaho ($57,620) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a log grader and scaler a good career?
Employment of log graders and scalers is projected to shrink 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a log grader and scaler?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for log graders and scalers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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