Logging Equipment Operator salary in Montana
Logging Equipment Operators in Montana earn a median of $56,530 a year ($27.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,800 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $49,740. Montana ranks 9th of 36 states for logging equipment operators pay. There are 0.37 logging equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for logging equipment operators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| 25th percentile | $48,620 | $23.37 |
| Median | $56,530 | $27.18 |
| 75th percentile | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,800 | $43.17 |
| Average (mean) | $59,620 | $28.66 |
Half of logging equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,710.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,355.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,174.23 |
| Weekly | $1,087.12 |
| Hourly | $27.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for logging equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $75,140 |
| Illinois | $71,100 |
| Texas | $62,890 |
| California | $61,940 |
| South Dakota | $58,740 |
| Oregon | $58,720 |
| Louisiana | $58,600 |
| Minnesota | $58,590 |
| Montana | $56,530 |
| Idaho | $56,490 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $32,600 | $15.68 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $41,390 | $19.90 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $42,130 | $20.25 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in Montana
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-4022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a logging equipment operator make in Montana?
The median salary for logging equipment operators in Montana is $56,530 a year, or $27.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid logging equipment operators make in Montana?
The top 10% of logging equipment operators in Montana earn at least $89,800 a year. The top 25% earn $59,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for logging equipment operators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,490 a year, and a quarter of logging equipment operators earn $48,620 or less.
How many logging equipment operators work in Montana?
About 190 logging equipment operators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.