Logging and Forestry Labourers

(NOC 8616)

in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Logging and forestry labourers perform a variety of manual tasks like attaching choker cables to logs, planting trees, clearing brush, spraying chemicals, cleaning up landing areas and helping other workers in woodlands operations. They work for logging companies and contractors.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

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

$14.50

Minimum

$17.00

Median

$30.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,502

Minimum

$11,337

Median

$45,630

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 and forestry labourers perform a variety of manual tasks like attaching choker cables to logs, planting trees, clearing brush, spraying chemicals, cleaning up landing areas and helping other workers in woodlands operations. They work for logging companies and contractors.

Job duties

Logging and forestry labourers:

  • Help other workers at logging sites.
  • Attach chokers or cables to felled trees for yarding.
  • Plant trees using manual tools.
  • Spray herbicides from the ground using manual spraying equipment.
  • Clear trails through woodlands using chain saws.
  • Clean up landing areas at logging sites.

Sample job titles

  • boom worker
  • chokerperson - logging
  • forestry labourer
  • logging labourer
  • seasonal tree planter
  • sprayer - logging and forestry

Skills

  • You should have good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and mechanical aptitude would be helpful. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

  • High school may be required.
  • Pre-employment safety courses may be required.
  • Several weeks of formal and on-the-job training are provided.
  • Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) certificate may be required.
  • Chemicals application licence may be required.

Other considerations

  • Most workers in these jobs work for part of the year and typically earn less than half the yearly income of employees who work for the whole year. Although some labouring jobs are seasonal, others are not. Wages will vary according to the specific type of work, and annual incomes of many workers in these jobs are relatively low. They are often exposed to harsh weather conditions. The physical demands of this work may make it difficult for people to stay in these jobs for a long time. There is mobility among jobs in this group and movement to other positions like silviculture and forestry worker, chain saw and skidder operator or logging machinery operator is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

315

employed in 2016

70.3%

employed full-time

15.6%

self employed

20.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
79.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
32.9

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?

32.3%

North Shore

$9,879 median annual income
26.2%

Southern

$11,824 median annual income
21.5%

Halifax

$8,188 median annual income
10.8%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
9.2%

Cape Breton

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

81.4%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

4.7%

Manufacturing

4.7%

Wholesale trade

4.7%

Accommodation and food services

4.7%

Construction

What is the age of Employment?

29.0%

25-34

29.0%

15-24

17.0%

45-54

10.0%

55-64

8.0%

65+

8.0%

35-44

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

45.3%

High school

$7,999 median annual income
25.0%

Less than high school

$17,504 median annual income
10.9%

Bachelor

$9,560 median annual income
10.9%

Trade Certification

$12,023 median annual income
7.8%

College Diploma

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

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

Canadian Institute of Forestry - Nova Scotia
Mattawa, ON
Forestry Safety Society of Nova Scotia
Truro, NS
Forest Nova Scotia
Hildon, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.