Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Log graders and scalers work in a specialized role evaluating and measuring logs, with a national workforce of about 5,000 people. The national median annual salary of $46,710 places this career in a solid earning range, with some regions offering notably higher pay. While projected national employment growth is -0.7%, there are still around 1,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing turnover and hiring needs. Career opportunities vary by state, with California, Washington, Virginia, Texas, and New Hampshire standing out based on their CareerGPS opportunity scores. A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical education requirement, which can make this path accessible for those who want to enter the workforce without a college degree. Strong skills in mathematics, mechanical abilities, physical stamina, problem solving, and attention to detail are important to succeed. For individuals interested in measurement-focused, hands-on work, this occupation offers a focused niche with clearly defined entry requirements.
The national median annual salary for log graders and scalers is $46,710, but earnings can differ substantially by location. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, Washington reports the highest median salary at $61,580, followed closely by California at $56,670. These figures are significantly higher than the national median, suggesting that certain regions may offer stronger earning potential. New Hampshire’s median salary of $46,530 is close to the national level, while Virginia and Texas report lower medians of $36,220 and $36,100, respectively. At the metro level, Longview–Kelso, WA shows a median salary of $61,030, aligning with Washington’s strong statewide pay. This variation means that salary prospects can be an important factor when deciding where to pursue this career, especially for those able to relocate to higher-paying states or metros.
Log graders and scalers have national employment of about 5,000, with projected employment growth of -0.7%. While this projection indicates a slight decline over time, the occupation still sees an estimated 1,000 annual openings. These openings reflect ongoing hiring activity despite the modest negative growth rate. For job seekers, this combination means that while the total number of positions is not expanding, people are still entering and leaving the field, creating opportunities to step in. The consistent -0.7% growth figure appears across the highlighted states and the Longview–Kelso, WA metro, suggesting a relatively uniform outlook rather than major regional differences in growth projections. Anyone considering this occupation should view it as a stable but not rapidly expanding field, where success may depend on targeting the locations and employers that regularly need to fill positions as workers move on or retire.
Location plays a notable role in the career landscape for log graders and scalers. California ranks highest by CareerGPS opportunity score at 67.38, with a median salary of $56,670 and employment of 320. Washington follows with an opportunity score of 56.29, a higher median salary of $61,580, and employment of 200. These two states combine relatively strong wages with larger employment bases compared with other highlighted states. Virginia (opportunity score 54.96) and Texas (51.57) each have lower median salaries—$36,220 and $36,100—and smaller employment levels of 80 and 40, respectively. New Hampshire has an opportunity score of 48.12, a median salary of $46,530, and employment of 30, roughly aligning its pay with the national median. At the metro level, Longview–Kelso, WA stands out with a median salary of $61,030 and an opportunity score of 41.55. Overall, Washington and California appear particularly attractive for those prioritizing both job availability and higher pay.
The typical education requirement for log graders and scalers is a high school diploma or equivalent, which can make this career accessible to individuals who prefer to enter the workforce without pursuing a college degree. While formal education beyond high school is not listed as typical, the role relies on a broad set of skills. Mathematics and science support accurate measurement and evaluation. Fine motor and mechanical skills, along with physical strength and stamina, are important for hands-on, physically active work. Problem solving, decision making, critical and analytical thinking, and being detail oriented help ensure consistent, reliable assessments. Project management skills can assist with organizing tasks and workflows, while customer service skills support communication with others involved in the process. Developing this combination of technical, physical, and interpersonal abilities can help candidates stand out and perform effectively once in the role.
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