Log Graders and Scalers
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry · SOC 45-4023
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
Decision card
Career Evidence Passport
SOC 45-4023 evidence across exposure, wages, projections, postings, certified LCAs, skills, and transitions.
- SOC exposure
- 0.0%
- Low · Anthropic AEI
- Automation friction
- 53/100
- Moderate friction; broad SOC seed ORS job-requirements coverage.
- Wages
- $46,330
- No H-1B offered-wage row for this SOC.
- Projected openings
- 700
- BLS EP 2024–2034; employment change -0.7%.
- Observed/proxy demand
- —
- FY— certified LCAs; 746 postings in 2025.
Skill evidence
Transition context
- H-1B values are certified Labor Condition Applications, not visa approvals.
- Job postings are seed-static / seed-derived; treat as provider-ready proxy coverage until observed provider data is wired in.
- Transition matches are directional skill-overlap context, not placement guarantees.
- This release is a FutureGrid broad-SOC seed derived from public BLS ORS requirement concepts and categories, not direct occupation-level ORS survey estimates. It describes job requirements, not worker ability, AI capability, or displacement probability. Automation friction is a FutureGrid derived score and should be read alongside exposure, demand, wage, and projection signals.
AI Exposure Analysis
Across AI measures
Multiple exposure lenses for this occupation.
AI could do ~21.1% of this role but only ~0% is currently done with AI — a large capability-vs-adoption gap.
Top Skills
H-1B Visa Sponsorship Demand
View full H-1B trends →No H-1B certified LCA filings recorded for this occupation in FY2016–FY2025.
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
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.
Common titles: Log Buyer, Log Check Scaler, Log Grader, Log Scaler, Lumber Grader, Scaler
Representative Tasks
- •Evaluate log characteristics and determine grades, using established criteria.
- •Record data about individual trees or load volumes into tally books or hand-held collection terminals.
- •Measure felled logs or loads of pulpwood to calculate volume, weight, dimensions, and marketable value, using measuring devices and conversion tables.
- •Paint identification marks of specified colors on logs to identify grades or species, using spray cans, or call out grades to log markers.
- •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.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Evaluate log quality.
- •Record agricultural or forestry inventory data.
- •Measure physical characteristics of forestry or agricultural products.
- •Mark agricultural or forestry products for identification.
- •Direct material handling or moving activities.
Tools & Technologies
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
Employment & Wage Trend
BLS OEWS, 2019–2025
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). See /sources.
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 1.3% |
| Outlook | Average | 9% Bright |
| Median Salary | $46,330 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |