How much does a logging equipment operator make?
The median logging equipment operator in the United States earns $49,740 per year, about $23.91 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all logging equipment operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 45-4022.
Logging equipment operator salary range
Pay for logging equipment operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,170 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $74,300. The average (mean) wage of $53,190 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 | $35,170 | $16.91 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $43,970 | $21.14 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,740 | $23.91 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $61,050 | $29.35 | |
| 90th percentile | $74,300 | $35.72 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for logging equipment operators (SOC 45-4022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Logging equipment operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Logging equipment operators earn the most in Washington at $75,140 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $30,230. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $75,140 | 1,150 |
| Illinois | $71,100 | 40 |
| Texas | $62,890 | 500 |
| California | $61,940 | 950 |
| South Dakota | $58,740 | 50 |
| Oregon | $58,720 | 1,860 |
| Louisiana | $58,600 | 770 |
| Minnesota | $58,590 | 320 |
| Montana | $56,530 | 190 |
| Idaho | $56,490 | 560 |
| Vermont | $52,910 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $51,540 | 170 |
| Ohio | $50,590 | 260 |
| Wyoming | $49,650 | 40 |
| Colorado | $49,620 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $49,620 | 1,220 |
| Florida | $49,370 | 770 |
| Massachusetts | $48,960 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $48,420 | 990 |
| Arkansas | $48,280 | 1,280 |
| Alabama | $47,810 | 1,860 |
| South Carolina | $47,650 | 920 |
| Michigan | $47,610 | 860 |
| New York | $47,540 | 290 |
| Maryland | $47,530 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,880 | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $46,360 | 480 |
| Indiana | $46,320 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $46,310 | 400 |
| Virginia | $46,090 | 570 |
| Georgia | $45,080 | 1,620 |
| Maine | $44,780 | 830 |
| Missouri | $41,770 | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $37,270 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $36,130 | 310 |
| Kentucky | $30,230 | 300 |
State median wages for logging equipment operators (SOC 45-4022), 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 logging equipment operators
The BLS projects employment of logging equipment operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.8%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 29,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 28,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,700 openings a year for logging equipment operators. 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 logging equipment operator
The typical entry-level education for logging equipment operators 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 logging equipment operator 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, $75,140) and the lowest (Kentucky, $30,230) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 21,060 people work as logging equipment operators in the United States. At $49,740 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Logging equipment operator salary FAQ
How much does a logging equipment operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a logging equipment operator is $23.91. The middle half of logging equipment operators earn between $21.14 and $29.35 per hour.
What is the highest logging equipment operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of logging equipment operators earn more than $74,300 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a logging equipment operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a logging equipment operator is $49,740. The average (mean) wage of $53,190 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 logging equipment operator a well paid job?
At $49,740 a year, a logging equipment operator earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 21,060 people work as logging equipment operators in the United States.
Which state pays logging equipment operators the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for logging equipment operators at $75,140 a year. Illinois ($71,100) and Texas ($62,890) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a logging equipment operator a good career?
Employment of logging equipment operators is projected to shrink 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a logging equipment operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for logging equipment operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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