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Log Graders and Scalers in West Virginia

Thinking about a career as a Log Graders and Scalers in West Virginia? Below are the key facts. 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. Excludes “Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products” (13-1021).

What do Log Graders and Scalers Make in West Virginia?

For a log graders and scalers working in West Virginia, the median annual wage is $47,570 per year (or roughly $22.87/hour).Annual wages span from $37,350 at the 10th percentile to $47,570 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$37,350	$17.96
25th percentile	$39,680	$19.08
Median (50th)	$47,570	$22.87
75th percentile	$47,570	$22.87
90th percentile	$47,570	$22.87

The job concentration index in West Virginia relative to the national average — is 12.34, indicating that log graders and scalers are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, log graders and scalers earn a median of $29,938 per year ($14.39/hour), higher than the West Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 19,825 log graders and scalers in the U.S.. In West Virginia alone, approximately 190 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 120 log graders and scalers.

Top States for Log Graders and Scalers Employment

The table below shows the states where the most log graders and scalers work.

State	Number Employed
California	420
Pennsylvania	340
Arkansas	240
Washington	190
West Virginia	190
Oregon	180
Alabama	180
Kentucky	160
Mississippi	130
Wisconsin	120
Georgia	120
North Carolina	120
Louisiana	100
Ohio	90
Virginia	90
Indiana	80
Maine	80
Michigan	70
Idaho	70
Florida	40

Highest-Paying States for Log Graders and Scalers

These states pay the most for log graders and scalers.

State	Annual Median Salary
Oregon	$62,860
Idaho	$62,000
Washington	$59,670
California	$56,570
Maine	$51,650
Michigan	$50,620
Wisconsin	$50,040
South Carolina	$49,990
West Virginia	$47,570
Kentucky	$47,160

Skills

Key log graders and scalers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for log graders and scalers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks 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.
• Arrange for hauling of logs to appropriate mill sites.
• Weigh log trucks before and after unloading, and record load weights and supplier identities.
• Measure log lengths and mark boles for bucking into logs, according to specifications.
• Communicate with coworkers by signals to direct log movement.
• Drive to sawmills, wharfs, or skids to inspect logs or pulpwood.
• Saw felled trees into lengths.

Work Activities

• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Getting Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Processing Information
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access

Related Careers

Careers similar to log graders and scalers include:

• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
• Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping
• Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
• Fallers
• Logging Equipment Operators

Also Known As

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.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 45-4023.00