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Agriculture45-4021.00Specialization

Fallers

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

$53,170
Median Pay
Less than 6 months
Training
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In Transition
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View Forest & Conservation Workers

This is a specialization of

Forest & Conservation Workers

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 2/6: low AI task exposure, declining job demand, limited human advantage indicates this career is being transformed by AI

🟠In Transition

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

3% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Declining+0

-7% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 10/25

Total Score2/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09
View full methodology →

Key Responsibilities

  • Stop saw engines, pull cutting bars from cuts, and run to safety as tree falls.
  • Appraise trees for certain characteristics, such as twist, rot, and heavy limb growth, and gauge amount and direction of lean, to determine how to control the direction of a tree's fall with the least damage.
  • Saw back-cuts, leaving sufficient sound wood to control direction of fall.
  • Clear brush from work areas and escape routes, and cut saplings and other trees from direction of falls, using axes, chainsaws, or bulldozers.
  • Measure felled trees and cut them into specified log lengths, using chain saws and axes.
  • Assess logs after cutting to ensure that the quality and length are correct.
  • Determine position, direction, and depth of cuts to be made, and placement of wedges or jacks.
  • Control the direction of a tree's fall by scoring cutting lines with axes, sawing undercuts along scored lines with chainsaws, knocking slabs from cuts with single-bit axes, and driving wedges.
  • Trim off the tops and limbs of trees, using chainsaws, delimbers, or axes.
  • Select trees to be cut down, assessing factors such as site, terrain, and weather conditions before beginning work.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

Less than high school

Time to Job Ready

0-0.5 years

Based on Job Zone 1. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Assisi CompilerAssisi Software Assisi InventoryAssisi Software Assisi ManagerAssisi Software Assisi ResourceBCS Woodlands Software The Logger TrackerBCS Woodlands Software Woodlands TrackerESRI ArcViewGeographic information system GIS systemsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word

Key Abilities

Reaction TimeMultilimb CoordinationControl PrecisionArm-Hand SteadinessManual DexteritySpeed of Limb MovementStatic StrengthTrunk StrengthStaminaGross Body Coordination

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Compensation Details

$32,920
10th Percentile
$53,170
Median
$90,930
90th Percentile

Based on 4,800 employed workers

Also Known As

All-Round LoggerArboristArborist AssistantArborist ClimberArborist RepresentativeAxmanCertified ArboristChain Saw OperatorClimbing ArboristCross Cut Sawyer

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 45-4021.00