Log Graders and Scalers

Lowest scored
High Risk
Low High

Explore safer careers (5)

Lower estimated automation risk

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Why it fits

Advancement path using crew coordination, wood quality, yard flow, safety, production records, and schedules.

Forest and Conservation Technicians
28% automation risk | Low Risk
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Why it fits

Uses tree species knowledge, timber measurements, field data, forest condition records, and conservation procedures.

Foresters
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Why it fits

Uses timber inventory, stand condition, volume estimates, forest products, and management records with added education.

Forest and Conservation Workers
46% automation risk | Moderate Risk
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Why it fits

Fits forestry workers with outdoor fieldwork, tree condition checks, hand tools, safety, and timber-site knowledge.

Logging Equipment Operators
64% automation risk | High Risk
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Why it fits

Reuses log handling, yard or woods workflow, species identification, defects, safety, and production coordination.

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Occupation snapshot

What does this snowflake show?
The Snowflake is a visual summary of the five badges: Automation Risk (calculated), Risk (polled), Growth, Wages and Volume. It gives you an instant snapshot of an occupations profile. The colour of the Snowflake relates to its size. The better the occupation scores in relation to others, the larger and greener the Snowflake becomes.
JOB SCORE
2.0/10
What's this?
Job Score (higher is better):

We rate jobs using four factors. These are:

- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions

These are some key things to think about when job hunting.

Risk & user votes

Calculated automation risk

71% (High Risk)

High Risk (61-80%): This occupation shows a significant risk of end-to-end replacement by automation. Many core parts of the role may be structured, repeatable, software-driven, or physically predictable enough for AI, machines, or robotic systems to take over. If you work in this area, it may be worth exploring safer related careers or moving towards more human-centred responsibilities.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Human strengths important in this job

These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.

Decision-making and problem solving

Quite important
Why this matters
Analyze information, weigh tradeoffs, and choose the best solution—especially when situations are ambiguous, high-stakes, or have real-world consequences.
Jobs that also use this strength

Communicating with people outside the organization

Quite important
Why this matters
Represents the organization to customers, the public, or government—handling questions, concerns, and relationship-building through conversations, writing, calls, or email.
Jobs that also use this strength

Developing objectives and strategies

Quite important
Why this matters
Sets long-term goals and chooses strategies and actions to reach them, weighing tradeoffs and adapting plans as conditions change.
Jobs that also use this strength

What users think

Based on 17 votes

68% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted that it's probable this occupation will be automated. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 71% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that Log Graders and Scalers will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?

View sentiment trend

Pay & outlook

Wages

Low paid relative to other professions

In 2024, the median annual wage for Log Graders and Scalers was $46,710 ($22 per hour).

The median annual wage for Log Graders and Scalers was 5.6% lower than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.

View wage trend

Wages over time

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Growth

Slow growth relative to other professions.

The number of 'Log Graders and Scalers' job openings is expected to decline 0.7% by 2034

View employment trend

Total employment, and estimated job openings

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2023 and 2033
Updated projections are due 09-2025.

Volume

Significantly lower range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2024 there were 3,310 people employed as 'Log Graders and Scalers' within the United States.

This represents around < 0.001% of the employed workforce across the country

Put another way, around 1 in 46 thousand people are employed as 'Log Graders and Scalers'.

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What people are saying (1)

Harry Potter (Highly likely)
17 Dec 2019 17:24
97% is obvious
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Job description

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.

O*NET-SOC code: 45-4023.00