Logging Equipment Operator salary in Washington
Logging Equipment Operators in Washington earn a median of $75,140 a year ($36.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,750 for the top 10%. That is 51% higher than the national median of $49,740. Washington ranks 1st of 36 states for logging equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.32 logging equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,980, close to the median.
Pay range for logging equipment operators in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,300 | $29.47 |
| 25th percentile | $65,430 | $31.46 |
| Median | $75,140 | $36.12 |
| 75th percentile | $77,480 | $37.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| Average (mean) | $73,980 | $35.57 |
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 | $6,261.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,130.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,890 |
| Weekly | $1,445 |
| Hourly | $36.12 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | $77,310 | 50 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $76,980 | 180 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $75,140 | 110 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $74,790 | 110 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $71,620 | 30 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $64,520 | 290 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $67,650 | $32.52 |
| Faller | $77,340 | $37.18 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $66,200 | $31.83 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $43,930 | $21.12 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for logging equipment operators in Washington is $75,140 a year, or $36.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid logging equipment operators make in Washington?
The top 10% of logging equipment operators in Washington earn at least $83,750 a year. The top 25% earn $77,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for logging equipment operators in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,300 a year, and a quarter of logging equipment operators earn $65,430 or less.
How many logging equipment operators work in Washington?
About 1,150 logging equipment operators are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.