# Log Graders and Scalers

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/log-graders-and-scalers
- SOC code: 45-4023.00
- Career family: Farming, fishing and forestry
- Median annual pay: $46,330 (10th percentile $34,950, 90th percentile $62,400)
- Projected growth: Decline, -2.2%
- Openings a year: 600
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CRI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 66 |
| Investigative (I) | 23 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 2 |
| Enterprising (E) | 13 |
| Conventional (C) | 88 |

## What you'd do

- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 76/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 75/100)
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (importance 74/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 72/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 72/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 71/100)
- Getting Information (importance 70/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 69/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 68/100)
- Processing Information (importance 68/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Active Learning, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Operations Monitoring

## Knowledge

Production and Processing, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management, Mechanical, Education and Training, Transportation, English Language, Sales and Marketing, Computers and Electronics

## Also called

Check Scaler, Compounding Scaler, Deck Scaler, Deck Specialist, Decker, Deckman, Landing Scaler, Log Buyer, Log Check Scaler, Log Grader

## Related careers

- [Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/weighers-measurers-checkers-and-samplers-recordkeeping): $46,380 median pay
- [Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/inspectors-testers-sorters-samplers-and-weighers): $48,570 median pay
- [Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/graders-and-sorters-agricultural-products): $35,730 median pay
- [Logging Equipment Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/logging-equipment-operators): $49,740 median pay
- [Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/laborers-and-freight-stock-and-material-movers-hand): $40,240 median pay
- [Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/milling-and-planing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $52,800 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.