# Fallers

> Use axes or chainsaws to fell trees using knowledge of tree characteristics and cutting techniques to control direction of fall and minimize tree damage.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/fallers
- SOC code: 45-4021.00
- Career family: Farming, fishing and forestry
- Median annual pay: $52,100 (10th percentile $35,180, 90th percentile $82,360)
- Projected growth: Decline, -9.9%
- Openings a year: 500
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 25 |
| Artistic (A) | 2 |
| Social (S) | 15 |
| Enterprising (E) | 10 |
| Conventional (C) | 39 |

## What you'd do

- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 86/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 86/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 79/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 76/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 69/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 68/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 67/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 65/100)
- Getting Information (importance 63/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 60/100)

## Skills

Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Production and Processing, Public Safety and Security, Mathematics, English Language, Telecommunications, Transportation, Education and Training, Law and Government, Physics

## Also called

All Round Logger, Arborist Climber, Axman, Bucker, Chain Saw Operator, Climbing Arborist, Cross Cut Sawyer, Cutter Operator, Feller, Hewer

## Related careers

- [Tree Trimmers and Pruners](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tree-trimmers-and-pruners): $50,960 median pay
- [Logging Equipment Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/logging-equipment-operators): $49,740 median pay
- [Forest and Conservation Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/forest-and-conservation-workers): $43,680 median pay
- [Log Graders and Scalers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/log-graders-and-scalers): $46,330 median pay
- [Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sawing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-wood): $42,770 median pay
- [Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/landscaping-and-groundskeeping-workers): $39,150 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.