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.
Logging Equipment Operators
SOC: 45-4022 O*NET: 45-4022.00
Median Salary
$49,210
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
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.
What does a Logging Equipment Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$29,526
25th
$39,368
50th (Median)
$49,210
75th
$59,052
90th
$73,815
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:30,900
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-1.4%
Annual Openings:4,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)30,900
Current
2034 (Projected)30,500
-1.4%
-400
Employment Change
-1.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
90%
#3
Equipment Maintenance
80%
#4
Active Listening
70%
#5
Troubleshooting
60%
#6
Monitoring
50%
#7
Quality Control Analysis
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.5
90%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.5
70%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.5
50%
Quality Control Analysis
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance90%
skills
4.5/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance50%
skills
2.5/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Agricultural Equipment Operators75%
5 shared skills
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic75%
5 shared skills
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators75%
5 shared skills
Pile Driver Operators75%
5 shared skills
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators70%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Logging Equipment Operators
Technology Intensity
Medium
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
VERY HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet very high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What education is required?
Education Required
High school diploma or less
Experience Required
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Job Training
Short demonstration or on-the-job training