Faller Salary
Fallers earn a median $52,100 a year nationally. Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
What fallers do
Use axes or chainsaws to fell trees using knowledge of tree characteristics and cutting techniques to control direction of fall and minimize tree damage.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -9.9% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 500
- Self-employed
- 30%
Employment of fallers is projected to shrink 9.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Faller take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,072
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,230
- Medicare (1.45%)$755
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$44,042
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,180 | $16.91 | $30,447 |
| 25th percentile | $41,360 | $19.88 | $35,413 |
| Median (50th) | $52,100 | $25.05 | $44,042 |
| 75th percentile | $63,390 | $30.48 | $53,114 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,360 | $39.60 | $66,770 |
Faller salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $84,490 | −0.3% | $61,705 | $47,800 – $135,250 | 180 |
| Idaho | $78,330 | +6.3% | $60,892 | $61,780 – $121,750 | 190 |
| Washington | $77,340 | +1.5% | $63,239 | $63,400 – $115,940 | — |
| South Carolina | $76,350 | +27.1% | $59,118 | $55,680 – $88,400 | 130 |
| Arkansas | $67,060 | +4.5% | $53,604 | $43,580 – $71,410 | — |
| Louisiana | $62,040 | — | $50,554 | $47,150 – $63,390 | 200 |
| California | $59,590 | −3.9% | $47,661 | $49,180 – $76,770 | 260 |
| Maryland | $58,300 | −0.5% | $46,618 | $47,530 – $66,780 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $54,110 | +4.5% | $44,225 | $41,360 – $84,020 | 140 |
| Michigan | $51,700 | −0.6% | $41,774 | $37,960 – $61,390 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $50,010 | +0.3% | $40,944 | $50,010 – $98,910 | — |
| Virginia | $48,340 | +2.7% | $39,056 | $35,130 – $54,960 | 330 |
| Ohio | $47,700 | −11.5% | $39,978 | $40,670 – $59,350 | — |
| Tennessee | $47,560 | −0.6% | $40,394 | $35,140 – $77,310 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $46,080 | −11.1% | $37,875 | $29,500 – $63,460 | 200 |
| Georgia | $39,380 | +1.1% | $32,401 | $35,160 – $47,230 | 170 |
| New York | $36,190 | +1.0% | $29,901 | $32,240 – $72,020 | 120 |
| Indiana | $26,210 | −57.1% | $22,450 | $26,210 – $63,810 | 40 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logging Workers, All Other | $50,840 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.6% |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $49,740 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.8% |
| Log Grader and Scaler | $46,330 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.2% |
| Forest and Conservation Worker | $43,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.5% |
| Animal Breeder | $51,130 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.0% |
| Agricultural Inspector | $49,940 | Bachelor's degree | +2.3% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $59,320 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.8% |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $41,730 | No formal educational credential | +8.6% |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $39,850 | No formal educational credential | +3.8% |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $36,670 | No formal educational credential | -3.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a faller make?
The national median salary for fallers is $52,100 a year ($25.05 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,180 and the top 10% earn over $82,360. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays fallers the most?
Oregon has the highest median pay at $84,490.
How many fallers are there in the U.S.?
About 3,130 people work as fallers nationwide.