Logging Machinery Operators
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Job description
These individuals operate a machine to harvest trees, delimb and cut them to length, or transport them to the roadside. They operate harvesters, forwarders, skidders, delimbers, and chainsaws. They are self-employed or work for logging companies or forestry contractors.
Environment
- Climatic conditions
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Vehicle or passenger compartment
- Odours
- Nontoxic dust
- Hazardous workplaces
- Noise
- Falling objects
- Vibration
Main tasks
Forestry Cable Operators
- Transporting trees from the felling yards to the unloading area.
Harvester-Cutter-Forwarder Operators
- Assess the site and the terrain.
- Operate heavy machinery for a wide range of site work (tree felling, brush cutting, bucking, etc.).
Delimber-Slicer and Shaft Loader Operators
- Drive various machines for delimbing, bucking, sorting, and loading trees.
Advancement and mobility
- There is some mobility among workers in this group.
- Experience allows access to supervisory positions.
Hourly wage
The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.- Minimum
- $21.88
- Median
- $27.27
- Maximum
- $35.00
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Les 2 champs de sélection ci-dessous vous permettent de comparer 2 régions. Les données des régions seront automatiquement mises à jour à la sélection. Par défaut, la province de Québec est sélectionnée pour la première région.
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Very good
All of Québec
Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Non available
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
1,500
All of Québec
na
Gender distribution
All of Québec
Not available.
- 1.6% Female
- 98.4% Male
Not available.
- 1.6% Female
- 98.4% Male
Job types
All of Québec
Not available.
- Full time
- Part time
Not available.
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
$59,200
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Seasonal worker
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Seasonal worker
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
Not available.
-
NAICS 113, 115383% of jobs
-
NAICS 111, 112, 114, 1151, 11525% of jobs
-
NAICS 3215% of jobs
-
NAICS 232% of jobs
-
NAICS 48, 492% of jobs
-
Others3% of jobs
All of Québec
Not available.
-
NAICS 113, 115383% of jobs
-
NAICS 111, 112, 114, 1151, 11525% of jobs
-
NAICS 3215% of jobs
-
NAICS 232% of jobs
-
NAICS 48, 492% of jobs
-
Others3% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
DVS in abattage et façonnage des bois
Code : 5189
Placement rate: 73.7%
8.9% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Knowledge of and respect for the standards and regulations in force concerning tree harvesting, work safety, and the environment.
- A Class 5 driver's licence.
Sometimes required
- A mobile tree harvester operator certificate may be required.
- A Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certificate may be required.
- Training in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be required.
- Experience with the equipment used is an asset.
Harvester-Cutter-Forwarder Operators
- Experience as a Chainsaw Operator and Skidder Operator may be required.
WAP
This occupation is targeted by a Workplace Apprenticeship Program
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Operations and control
- Monitoring operations
- Equipment maintenance
- Quality control analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Active listening
- Result evaluation
Abilities
- Control accuracy
- Reaction time
- Limb coordination
- Hand-arm stability
- Depth perception
- Speed control
- Response orientation
- Awareness of issues
- Distance vision
- Near vision
- Manual dexterity
- Colour perception and distinction
- Perception speed
- Visualization
- Selective attention
- Classification
- Oral comprehension
- Digital dexterity
- Core strength
- Verbal skills
- Information organization
- Spatial orientation
Knowledge and attributes
- Leadership
- Autonomy
- Sense of responsibility
- Capacity to work in a team
- Versatility
- Sense of initiative
- Respect standards and regulations
- Assiduity and punctuality
- Knowledge of public safety and security
- Knowledge of mechanics
Interests
- Work in transportation and maintenance
- Self-employment
- Develop and exploit natural resources
- Work outdoors
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
Official name of the NOC 83110
Logging machinery operators
Job titles
- Wood Harvesting Machinery Operators
- Cable yarding operator
- Mechanical harvester and forwarder operator
- Mechanical tree processor operator - logging
- Logging truck loader
- Feller delimber operator
- Feller buncher operator
- Feller forwarder operator
- Pulpwood harvester operator
- Mechanical harvester operator - logging
- Grapple yarder operator - logging
- Yarder operator - logging
- Delimber operator
- Delimber and buncher operator
- Mechanical tree processor and loader operator
- Logging machinery operator
- Picker truck operator
- Loader operator - logging
- Chipping machine operator
- Chipping machine operator - logging
- Grapple loader operator - logging
- Crane and claw operator - logging
- Logging crane operator
- Forwarder operator - logging
- Treelength forwarder operator
- Bunk skidder operator
- Slasher operator - logging
- Slasher loader operator
- Rigging slinger - logging
- Log process operator
- Steel spar operator - logging
- Mobile chipper operator - logging
- Mobile whole tree chipper - logging
- Log processor operator
- Linehorse operator
- Slasher saw operator - logging
- Yarding engineer - logging
- Slasher-brusher
Skill type
Natural resources, agriculture and related production
Last update: January 29, 2026
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