Fallers

SOC code 45-4021 · O*NET-SOC 45-4021.00 · Little to some preparation needed

Fallers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$52,100

a year

Hourly

$25.05

per hour

10th$35,180Median$52,10090th$82,360

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$57,110

$27.46 per hour

Middle 50%

$41,360 – $63,390

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$35,180 – $82,360

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

3,130

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $35,180; $16.91/hr
25th percentile: $41,360; $19.89/hr
Median percentile: $52,100; $25.05/hr
75th percentile: $63,390; $30.48/hr
90th percentile: $82,360; $39.60/hr

What does a faller 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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Saw back-cuts, leaving sufficient sound wood to control direction of fall.
Control the direction of a tree's fall by scoring cutting lines with axes, sawing undercuts along scored lines with chainsaws, knocking slabs from cuts with single-bit axes, and driving wedges.
Stop saw engines, pull cutting bars from cuts, and run to safety as tree falls.
Select trees to be cut down, assessing factors such as site, terrain, and weather conditions before beginning work.
Measure felled trees and cut them into specified log lengths, using chain saws and axes.
Insert jacks or drive wedges behind saws to prevent binding of saws and to start trees falling.
Assess logs after cutting to ensure that the quality and length are correct.
Appraise trees for certain characteristics, such as twist, rot, and heavy limb growth, and gauge amount and direction of lean, to determine how to control the direction of a tree's fall with the least damage.

How to become a faller

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.

Common questions

How much does a faller earn?

The national median is $52,100 a year. The full range runs from $35,180 at the 10th percentile to $82,360 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a faller without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Critical Thinking3.0/5
Monitoring3.0/5

Knowledge areas

Mechanical3.3/5
Production and Processing3.0/5
Public Safety and Security2.7/5
Mathematics2.5/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Equipment Maintenance.