Logging Equipment Operator salary in North Carolina
Logging Equipment Operators in North Carolina earn a median of $48,420 a year ($23.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 990 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,010 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $49,740. North Carolina ranks 19th of 36 states for logging equipment operators pay. There are 0.20 logging equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for logging equipment operators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| 25th percentile | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Median | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| 75th percentile | $58,410 | $28.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,010 | $37.51 |
| Average (mean) | $52,040 | $25.02 |
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 | $4,035 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,017.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,862.31 |
| Weekly | $931.15 |
| Hourly | $23.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Logging Equipment Operator salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,370 | 150 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $49,870 | 70 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $46,060 | 50 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Faller | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $48,460 | $23.30 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $33,870 | $16.28 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $43,790 | $21.06 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for logging equipment operators in North Carolina is $48,420 a year, or $23.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid logging equipment operators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of logging equipment operators in North Carolina earn at least $78,010 a year. The top 25% earn $58,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for logging equipment operators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,800 a year, and a quarter of logging equipment operators earn $44,720 or less.
How many logging equipment operators work in North Carolina?
About 990 logging equipment operators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.