How Much Does a Lumberjack Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$52,100
Lumberjacks in the U.S. earn a median of $52,100 a year, or $25.05 an hour. Half of lumberjacks earn more than $52,100 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $82,360.
Pay percentiles for lumberjacks
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.91 | $35,180 |
| 25th | $19.89 | $41,360 |
| 50th (median) | $25.05 | $52,100 |
| 75th | $30.48 | $63,390 |
| 90th | $39.60 | $82,360 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Fallers (SOC 45-4021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for lumberjacks
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $84,490 | $40.62 | +62% |
| Idaho | $78,330 | $37.66 | +50% |
| Washington | $77,340 | $37.18 | +48% |
| South Carolina | $76,350 | $36.71 | +47% |
| Arkansas | $67,060 | $32.24 | +29% |
| Louisiana | $62,040 | $29.83 | +19% |
| California | $59,590 | $28.65 | +14% |
| Maryland | $58,300 | $28.03 | +12% |
| Mississippi | $54,110 | $26.01 | +4% |
| Michigan | $51,700 | $24.86 | −1% |
| United States | $52,100 | $25.05 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many lumberjacks are there?
BLS counts about 3,130 lumberjacks employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Fallers”. The most jobs are in Michigan (410), Virginia (330) and California (260).
The mean (average) annual wage is $57,110, higher than the median of $52,100.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,342
- Biweekly
- $2,004
- Weekly
- $1,002
- Daily (8 hours)
- $200
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do lumberjacks make an hour?
The median hourly wage for lumberjacks is $25.05. The middle 50% earn between $19.89 and $30.48 an hour.
Which state pays lumberjacks the most?
Oregon has the highest median wage for lumberjacks at $84,490, +62% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for lumberjacks?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of lumberjacks earn less than $35,180 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.