Logging Machinery Operators

(NOC 8241)

in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Logging machinery operators operate cable yarding systems, mechanical harvesters and forwarders and mechanical tree processors and loaders to fell, yard and process trees at logging sites. They work for logging companies and contractors.

Job Outlook

Limited

Read more

  • Estimate Decline employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

  • Estimate 415 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1430 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$22.00

Median

$27.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,704

Minimum

$43,644

Median

$76,652

Maximum

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$18.00

Median

$30.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$4,009

Minimum

$23,520

Median

$87,170

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Logging machinery operators operate cable yarding systems, mechanical harvesters and forwarders and mechanical tree processors and loaders to fell, yard and process trees at logging sites. They work for logging companies and contractors.

Job duties

Logging machinery operators:

  • Cable yarding system operators operate machines to transport trees from logging areas to landing or log loading sites in mountainous terrain in western Canada.
  • Mechanical harvester and forwarder operators assess site and terrain and drive heavy equipment to complete a combination of felling, slashing, bucking, bunching, and forwarding operations at logging areas.
  • Mechanical tree processor and loader operators use a variety of machines that perform a combination of slashing, bucking, chipping, sorting and loading logs or trees at landing sites.

Sample job titles

  • bunk skidder operator
  • log loading machine operator
  • log processor operator
  • logging truck loader
  • mechanical harvester operator - logging
  • mechanical tree processor operator - logging
  • pulpwood harvester operator
  • tree processor operator - logging

Skills

  • You must be alert and responsible. An awareness of safety is important. You should enjoy working outdoors and be prepared to spend time in isolation. Physical stamina and coordination are needed.

Job requirements

  • High school may be required.
  • On-the-job training from three to 16 months is provided, depending on the complexity of machinery operated and the type of woodlands operation.
  • Experience requirements vary depending on the complexity of machinery operated.
  • Mechanical harvester and forwarder operators may require logging experience as a chain saw and skidder operator.
  • Feller buncher operators and cable yarder operators usually require three to five years of logging experience.
  • Mechanical tree processor and loader operators usually require one to three years of logging experience.
  • Certification as a heavy equipment operator may be required.
  • Company certification for mobile logging machinery operation may be required.
  • Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) and first aid certificates may be required.
  • Knowledge of tree harvesting regulations is required.

Other considerations

  • Workers in this group spend their time outdoors and are vulnerable to all kinds of weather conditions. They should be prepared to spend their days at a noisy work site that may also be dusty or muddy. Logging machinery operators are exposed to vibration and very hazardous situations like moving logs, snapping cables and falling trees. Over long periods of time, hearing may be impaired by the high noise levels of harvesting operations if safety precautions are not taken. Long working hours are often required, particularly during peak operating seasons. Employment in the logging industry can vary significantly from one year to the next. Therefore, job prospects in these positions will rise and fall along with the industry. There is some mobility among jobs in this group from the less complex to more complex machinery operation and also between employers, particularly in similar types of woodland operations. Self-employment as a logging contractor is possible with investment in equipment. Movement to logging and forestry supervisory positions is possible with experience

By the numbers

Quick look

230

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

10.6%

self employed

0.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
100%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
45.6

median age

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

14,665

employed in 2016

78.0%

employed full-time

20.0%

self employed

15.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
84.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.6

median age

Where will I likely work?

52.2%

North Shore

$47,981 median annual income
15.2%

Southern

$43,694 median annual income
13.0%

Annapolis Valley

$29,307 median annual income
10.9%

Cape Breton

N/A
8.7%

Halifax

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

81.3%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

18.8%

Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

27.0%

35-44

27.0%

45-54

21.0%

55-64

15.0%

25-34

6.0%

15-24

4.0%

65+

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

20.7%

45-54

19.8%

15-24

19.2%

55-64

16.2%

35-44

14.8%

25-34

Top levels of education

44.7%

High school

$25,022 median annual income
40.4%

Less than high school

$49,068 median annual income
8.5%

College Diploma

N/A
4.3%

Bachelor

N/A
4.3%

Diploma Below Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

35.7%

Less than high school

$23,463 median annual income
30.8%

High school

$19,301 median annual income
13.7%

College Diploma

$29,551 median annual income
13.4%

Trade Certification

$31,535 median annual income
4.4%

Bachelor

$17,956 median annual income

Education & training

Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment like crawler tractors, motor graders and scrapers, shovels, rigging devices, hoists, and jacks. They include courses in digging, ditching, sloping, stripping, grading, and backfilling, clearing and excavating.

Institutions providing this program

Maritime Environmental Training Institute

Sydney, NS

Commercial Safety College

Truro, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Operating Engineers Training Institute of Nova Scotia

Falmouth, NS

Dexter Institute

Bedford, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia
Truro, NS
Forest Nova Scotia
Hildon, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.