Who Earns What

How much does a tree faller make?

US Fallers
$52,100

a year · about $25 an hour

A typical tree faller in the United States makes $52,100 a year, about $25 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They clear an escape route, then use a chainsaw and wedges to guide a tree down. They may trim branches and cut the trunk into log lengths.

Did you know? Many fallers use handheld chainsaws in terrain too rough for large logging machines.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$52,100
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $35,180 and $82,360
54 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

In the U.S., fallers usually have a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs accept less schooling. They learn forest safety and chainsaw skills on the job, with training lasting from a few days to a year.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., experience, useful skills or certifications, and the employer and location can all affect a faller’s pay. Hours worked or different shifts can change total pay too.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in Oregon ($84,490), lowest in Indiana ($26,210).

See every state
Whole US$52,100
Oregon$84,490
Idaho$78,330
Washington$77,340
South Carolina$76,350
Arkansas$67,060
Georgia$39,380
New York$36,190
Indiana$26,210

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Tree faller pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$35,180$52,100$82,360about 3,000
States where tree fallers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Oregon$84,490about 180
Idaho$78,330about 190
Washington$77,340—
South Carolina$76,350about 130
Arkansas$67,060—

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

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY