Prevailing Wage for Fallers
Prevailing wage for Fallers (SOC 45-4021) is set by DOL using regional wage surveys that reflect what employers pay timber cutters, loggers, and sawyers across U.S. markets. DOL assigns four experience levels to this occupation, and the wage floor shifts considerably depending on which metro the worksite sits in.
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Entry-level fallers with limited fieldwork experience, typically new to chainsaw felling operations or recently trained, working under direct supervision on straightforward timber-cutting tasks. DOL expects minimal independent judgment at this stage.
Qualified fallers with hands-on experience in standard felling operations who work with general supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation, reflecting journeyman-level skill in directional felling and basic hazard recognition.
Experienced timber fallers who handle complex felling scenarios, mentor less experienced crew members, and routinely exercise independent judgment on slope, wind, and tree-lean assessments. Limited supervision required for most assignments.
Fully competent fallers in senior or lead roles overseeing crew safety, production standards, and technical felling decisions on challenging terrain. These workers set the operational standard and may direct the work of others.
Prevailing Wage for Fallers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Fallers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Confirm the worksite state before comparing wages
Faller wages diverge sharply by region. Oregon metros like Medford file at floors far above Virginia markets. The LCA must list the actual harvest or timber-operations worksite, not a corporate office, so verify which OES area applies before evaluating any offer.
Watch for Level 1 filings on experienced positions
Some timber employers file at Level 1 to minimize LCA wage obligations even when the role requires independent directional felling. If you have multi-season chainsaw felling experience, a Level 1 filing likely understates the correct floor for your qualifications.
Exclude non-wage compensation from your floor check
Per diem payments, equipment allowances, and chain-and-bar stipends common in logging contracts do not count toward the prevailing wage obligation. Only base hourly or salary wages satisfy the DOL floor, so compare those figures directly.
Search Migrate Mate for employers sponsoring Fallers
Faller sponsorships are concentrated among large timber and forestry contractors. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored workers in this occupation, letting you target companies with an active H-1B or green card filing record before applying.
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Find Jobs for FallersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 45-4021.00 alongside Fallers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Cutter Operator Prevailing Wage
Cutter Operator Prevailing Wage
Cutter Operator positions fall under SOC 45-4021.00 (Fallers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Logger Prevailing Wage
Logger Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Logger for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 45-4021.00 (Fallers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Sawyer Prevailing Wage
Sawyer Prevailing Wage
Sawyer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 45-4021.00 (Fallers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Timber Cutter Prevailing Wage
Timber Cutter Prevailing Wage
Timber Cutter positions fall under SOC 45-4021.00 (Fallers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Timber Faller Prevailing Wage
Timber Faller Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Timber Faller for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 45-4021.00 (Fallers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Tree Faller Prevailing Wage
Tree Faller Prevailing Wage
Tree Faller is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 45-4021.00 (Fallers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Tree Feller Prevailing Wage
Tree Feller Prevailing Wage
Tree Feller positions fall under SOC 45-4021.00 (Fallers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Tree Topper Prevailing Wage
Tree Topper Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Tree Topper for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 45-4021.00 (Fallers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Fallers?
DOL draws on Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across defined metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. For each area, OFLC calculates four wage levels tied to experience and responsibility. The Level 2 figure represents the median wage for qualified workers in that area, while Levels 1, 3, and 4 are derived statistically above and below that midpoint.
What do the four wage levels mean, and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL ties each level to supervision, complexity, and experience. Level 1 covers entry-level workers under close supervision; Level 2 covers qualified workers with demonstrated field experience; Level 3 covers experienced workers who exercise independent judgment; Level 4 covers senior or lead fallers directing others. The level on your employer's LCA should match the duties and experience the job actually requires, not a lower level chosen to reduce the wage obligation.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Faller role vary so much between cities?
OFLC calculates wages from regional OES surveys, so the floor reflects what employers in each specific labor market actually pay. Dense timber-industry markets in the Pacific Northwest generate higher survey wages than smaller markets in the mid-Atlantic. The LCA must list the worksite where felling occurs, meaning the wage floor follows the job site, not the employer's headquarters, which is why two offers with identical titles can carry very different wage obligations.
What happens if a sponsored job offer falls below the prevailing wage floor?
USCIS will flag the discrepancy when reviewing the H-1B petition or green card sponsorship. An LCA certified with a wage below the applicable DOL floor is itself a compliance violation, and USCIS can issue a Request for Evidence or deny the petition. The employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the duration of the sponsored employment period, so a below-floor offer is not simply a negotiation starting point.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Faller position in a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC code 45-4021 and select the relevant metropolitan or nonmetropolitan area where the timber work will occur. The tool returns all four wage levels for that area. You can also review O*NET for occupation context. Migrate Mate lets you filter sponsored Faller listings by location so you can compare postings against the OFLC floor for that specific worksite area.
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