Log Graders and Scalers

Career Overview

Grade logs or estimate the marketable content or value of logs or pulpwood in sorting yards, millpond, log deck, or similar locations. Inspect logs for defects or measure logs to determine volume.

Also Known As

• Log Buyer
• Log Grader
• Log Scaler
• Scaler

Alternate Job Titles

• Check Scaler
• Compounding Scaler
• Deck Scaler
• Deck Specialist
• Decker
• Deckman
• Landing Scaler
• Log Buyer
• Log Check Scaler
• Log Grader
• Log Marker
• Log Scaler
• Log Sorter
• Lumber Grader
• Materials Inspector

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Evaluate log characteristics and determine grades, using established criteria.
• Record data about individual trees or load volumes into tally books or hand-held collection terminals.
• Measure felled logs or loads of pulpwood to calculate volume, weight, dimensions, and marketable value, using measuring devices and conversion tables.
• Paint identification marks of specified colors on logs to identify grades or species, using spray cans, or call out grades to log markers.
• Jab logs with metal ends of scale sticks, and inspect logs to ascertain characteristics or defects such as water damage, splits, knots, broken ends, rotten areas, twists, and curves.
• Identify logs of substandard or special grade so that they can be returned to shippers, regraded, recut, or transferred for other processing.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Move logs using heavy equipment such as log loaders.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Production and Processing

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Category Flexibility
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Perceptual Speed
• Flexibility of Closure
• Far Vision

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Integrity
• Perseverance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Independence
• Support
• Working Conditions
• Relationships
• Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Word
• SAP software

Tools & Equipment

• 3D laser scanning systems
• Ball peen hammers
• Chain saws
• Digital measuring wheels
• Forestry hard hats
• Forestry safety glasses
• Hand calculators
• Handheld computers
• Laptop computers
• Light curtains
• Log calipers
• Log counters
• Log truck scales
• Logger tapes
• Lumber crayons

Work Environment

• Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Frequency of Decision Making
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Freedom to Make Decisions

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$35,050
Median	$46,710
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$63,370

Workers Employed Nationally: 3,310

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.