person wearing safety equipment, standing at a logging site

Logging machinery operators

(NOC 83110)
Annual Earnings
$71,536
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years
Job Openings
(2024-2034)
420

Career Overview

People in this occupation:

  • Operate cable yarding systems, mechanical harvesters and forwarders and mechanical tree processors and loaders to fall, yard and process trees at logging sites
  • Work for logging companies and contractors
  • Should be physically fit and enjoy working outdoors and in remote settings
  • Should also have a strong mechanical ability since they often work with and maintain machinery
  • Must be comfortable working in a team setting
  • Should have knowledge of safety procedures due to hazardous working conditions

 

Job Titles

Bunk skidder operator
Cable yarding operator
Cable yarding system operator
Chipping machine operator
Chipping machine operator - logging
Crane and claw operator - logging
Delimber and buncher operator
Delimber operator
Feller buncher operator
Feller delimber operator
Feller forwarder operator
Forwarder operator - logging
Grapple loader operator - logging
Grapple operator - logging
Grapple yarder operator - logging
Linehorse operator
Loader operator - logging
Logging crane operator
Logging machinery operator
Logging truck loader
Log loader operator
Log loading machine operator
Log process operator
Log processor operator
Mechanical harvester and forwarder operator
Mechanical harvester operator - logging
Mechanical tree processor and loader operator
Mechanical tree processor operator - logging
Mobile chipper operator - logging
Mobile whole tree chipper - logging
Picker truck operator
Pulpwood harvester operator
Rigging slinger - logging
Shortwood harvester operator
Slasher-brusher
Slasher loader operator
Slasher operator - logging
Slasher saw operator - logging
Slasher sawyer operator - logging
Steel spar operator - logging
Tree harvester operator
Treelength forwarder operator
Tree-length harvester operator
Tree processor operator - logging
Yarder operator - logging
Yarding engineer - logging

Duties

In general, workers in this group operate machines to harvest, transport and process timber. Specific duties depend on the type of machinery used. The following descriptions are typical for a large logging operation. Within smaller logging operations, a worker might perform several or all of these duties.

Mechanical harvester and forwarder operators:

  • Evaluate logging sites and terrain prior to logging
  • Use various heavy equipment to fall (cut down trees) and delimb (remove branches)
  • Cut logs into specific lengths, which are sent to a collection point (forwarding) where they are bundled and loaded on a truck to be sent for further processing

Mechanical tree processors and operators:

  • Use machines for the same operations as mechanical harvester and forwarder operators (except falling) at landing sites

Cable yarding operators:

  • Use machines, steel cables and chains to transport logs after they have been felled and prepared by rigging slingers
  • Use an array of cable yarding techniques

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$71,536

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$40.00/hr
Median$34.30/hr
Low$25.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2024 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

1,565

% Employed Full Time

42%
Source: 2021 Census

Workers in this group work outdoors and are subject to a variety of weather conditions. Work environments can be challenging since conditions often include loud machinery, unstable ground and steep slopes. Hazards such as trees falling and cables snapping are also present. All work sites make safety the number one priority and follow strict safety regulations to reduce risks of such hazards.

Most workers in these occupations work full time, however, most work is generally done during winter months when logging typically takes place. As a result, these workers are not typically employed throughout the full year. Seasonal work can vary depending on the location of the work (i.e., coastal versus interior regions).

Shifts vary from 8–12 hours depending on the worker's position and the location of the work. Longer shifts are more common in logging camps as well as in the northern and interior parts of the province where there are less operating days in a year. Overtime is more common in logging camps. Rotating shift work is also common. Operators typically work 40–50 hours per week.

Since job sites are often located in remote areas, workers may be required to travel and remain on site for extended periods of time.

Career Pathways

Workers in this occupational group can progress to more advanced machinery operating positions with experience. Promotion to logging and forestry supervisory positions is also possible but rare.

Some workers may purchase their own equipment and operate as contractors.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic

Education, Training and Skills

Completion of secondary school may be required to work in this profession. On-the-job training is provided and is typically three to 16 months long, depending on the type of machinery used. Other training and requirements may include:

  • An understanding of tree harvesting regulations
  • Experience in various positions in the logging industry, however, the level required varies by occupation
  • Heavy equipment operator certification, air brake certification, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System certification and first aid certification
  • Training or knowledge of basic machine maintenance particularly related to machine hydraulic systems
  • 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

The Safety Accord Forest Enterprise (SAFE) Companies program, requiring forest companies in B.C. to be safety certified, is leading towards the development of standardized training for logging equipment operators. Certification through training will be required for all logging equipment operators B.C. in the near future, as it currently is a requirement for fallers.

Education programs in B.C.

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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

75%
Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.

68%
Equipment Maintenance

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

53%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

50%
Quality Control Analysis

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

50%
Troubleshooting

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

50%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

50%
Repairing

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

47%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

47%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

47%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

1,565
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 190 12.1%
Kootenay 185 11.8%
Mainland/Southwest 135 8.6%
North Coast and Nechako 190 12.1%
Northeast 65 4.2%
Thompson-Okanagan 255 16.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 545 34.8%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)

420
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 40 -0.5%
Kootenay 50 0.0%
Mainland/Southwest 30 -1.1%
North Coast and Nechako 100 1.4%
Northeast 10 -0.7%
Thompson-Okanagan 40 -1.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 150 -0.7%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2024-2034)
Forestry, Logging and Support Activities370
Manufacturing30
Agriculture and Fishing10
Construction10
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Employment in the forestry sector was hit hard by the world recession in general, as well as by the collapse of American home building. It reached record lows in 2008 and 2009, with work in the sector nearly 8,000 jobs less than in the previous five years. Labour market conditions for the industry are expected to recoup lost ground in the coming years as the economic recovery strengthens and U.S. home construction increases.

In the short term, new jobs will be created in B.C. in response to the need to harvest pine beetle damaged wood. There may continue to be activity in B.C.'s interior after the pine beetle problem has been taken care of. Other species of timber that are ready to be harvested have been left untouched since most resources have gone towards solving the pine beetle problem.

Also, as the economy recovers, good opportunities for job seekers will continue due to the limited number of experienced workers available to fill openings that arise from job growth and retirements.

Across B.C. high retirement rates and the inability of most firms to recruit and retain young workers to replace retirees are contributing to a labour shortage in this occupation. Many experienced machine operators have left the forest sector to seek work in the Mining and Oil and Gas industries, which previously offered more consistent work and similar pay. In addition, most new, young workers interested in machine operation also looked for work in the Mining, and Oil and Gas industries for similar reasons.

Negative public perceptions of the forest sector and the unwillingness of many young people to live outside of urban centers is also making it difficult for logging companies to find new workers. This problem is expected to worsen over the next five to 10 years as more workers retire.

Advances in technology will negatively affect demand for some forestry occupations, as they allow more work to be completed with fewer workers. The use of more advanced equipment and mechanization will continue to result in the elimination of some entry level positions and a need for more skilled workers.

Resources