# Log Graders and Scalers

> Grade logs or estimate the marketable content or value of logs or pulpwood in sorting yards, millpond, log deck, or similar locations. Inspect logs for defects or measure logs to determine volume.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 45-4023.00
- **Summary:** Grade logs or estimate the marketable content or value of logs or pulpwood in sorting yards, millpond, log deck, or similar locations. Inspect logs for defects or measure logs to determine volume.

## Aliases

- Log Buyer
- Log Grader
- Log Scaler
- Scaler
- Log Check Scaler
- Lumber Grader
- Timber Buyer
- Check Scaler
- Compounding Scaler
- Deck Scaler
- Deck Specialist
- Decker

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluate log characteristics and determine grades, using established criteria. | Core | 4.A.2.a.1.e |
| Record data about individual trees or load volumes into tally books or hand-held collection terminals. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Measure felled logs or loads of pulpwood to calculate volume, weight, dimensions, and marketable value, using measuring devices and conversion tables. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Paint identification marks of specified colors on logs to identify grades or species, using spray cans, or call out grades to log markers. | Core | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Jab logs with metal ends of scale sticks, and inspect logs to ascertain characteristics or defects such as water damage, splits, knots, broken ends, rotten areas, twists, and curves. | Core | 4.A.2.a.1.e |
| Identify logs of substandard or special grade so that they can be returned to shippers, regraded, recut, or transferred for other processing. | Core | 4.A.2.a.1.e |
| Arrange for hauling of logs to appropriate mill sites. | Supplemental | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Weigh log trucks before and after unloading, and record load weights and supplier identities. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Measure log lengths and mark boles for bucking into logs, according to specifications. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Communicate with coworkers by signals to direct log movement. | Supplemental | 4.A.4.a.2.c |
| Drive to sawmills, wharfs, or skids to inspect logs or pulpwood. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.4.a |
| Saw felled trees into lengths. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.n |

## Emerging Tasks

| Text |
| --- |
| Move logs using heavy equipment such as log loaders. |

## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Direct material handling or moving activities. | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Evaluate log quality. | 4.A.2.a.1.e |
| Record agricultural or forestry inventory data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Mark agricultural or forestry products for identification. | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Measure physical characteristics of forestry or agricultural products. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Drive passenger vehicles. | 4.A.3.a.4.a |
| Communicate with other workers to coordinate activities. | 4.A.4.a.2.c |
| Cut trees or logs. | 4.A.3.a.2.n |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.88 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.79 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.62 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.38 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.38 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.33 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.25 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.25 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.25 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.12 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.12 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.12 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.03 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Number Facility | ability | 3 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Visualization | ability | 2.88 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Windows | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Access | Specialized Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Access | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Windows | Operating system software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| AS/400 Database | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Atterbury Consultants SuperACE/FLIPS | Inventory management software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 4.96 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.83 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 4.63 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.55 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.35 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.26 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 4.19 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.12 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.98 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.92 |
| Time Pressure | 3.81 |
| Contact With Others | 3.8 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.77 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 3.68 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.66 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.66 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.58 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.54 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.53 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.5 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 3.45 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 3.42 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.35 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.29 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.13 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.07 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 3.04 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.01 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3.01 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 2.99 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.99 |
| E-Mail | 2.98 |
| Physical Proximity | 2.9 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.75 |
| Level of Competition | 2.73 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.66 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.49 |
| In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment | 2.49 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.47 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 2.4 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 64.23 |
| Some College Courses | 11.64 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 11.18 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 10.99 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.96 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 6.31 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 4.98 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 2.88 |
| Nature/Outdoors | specific_interest_area | 2.71 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2.47 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.37 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 2.09 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.08 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 2.03 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.76 |
| Agriculture | specific_interest_area | 1.76 |
| Accounting | specific_interest_area | 1.75 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 1.7 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.53 |
| Integrity | work_style | 1.51 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 1.44 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 43-5111.00 | role-43-5111-00 | Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | Primary-Short |
| 51-9061.00 | role-51-9061-00 | Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | Primary-Short |
| 45-2041.00 | role-45-2041-00 | Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | Primary-Short |
| 45-4022.00 | role-45-4022-00 | Logging Equipment Operators | Primary-Short |
| 53-7062.00 | role-53-7062-00 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | Primary-Short |
| 51-4035.00 | role-51-4035-00 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 53-7063.00 | role-53-7063-00 | Machine Feeders and Offbearers | Primary-Long |
| 51-7042.00 | role-51-7042-00 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | Primary-Long |
| 51-9032.00 | role-51-9032-00 | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 43-5061.00 | role-43-5061-00 | Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | Primary-Long |
| 45-4021.00 | role-45-4021-00 | Fallers | Supplemental |
| 51-9021.00 | role-51-9021-00 | Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Agriculture | agriculture |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 46710
- **Mean Wage:** 48130
- **Pct10Wage:** 35050
- **Pct25Wage:** 38390
- **Pct75Wage:** 56200
- **Pct90Wage:** 63370
- **Employment:** 3310
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 2800 | 45130 | 10.22 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 240 | 61920 | 1.24 |
| 11 | 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | Sector | 120 | 53900 | 13.2 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 60 | 60070 |  |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 30 | 42500 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 11 | 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | Sector | 120 | 13.2 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 2800 | 10.22 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 240 | 1.24 |
- **Count:** 5

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.97 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.4768305 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.1108848 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.7029777 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 30
- **Percentile:** 29
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 36 | felten_aioe |
| 39 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 14 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.4768305 | 36 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.42105263157894735 | 39 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.060815427882983504 | 14 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.97
- **Percentile:** 94
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.21052631578947367
- **Gamma:** 0.42105263157894735

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -0.7
- **Growth Percentile:** 23
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 0.6
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 9
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 4.6
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 4.6

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 12
- **Skills:** 38
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 10
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** df5285eabf15d61a