Prevailing Wage for Logging Workers, All Other
Prevailing wage for Logging Workers, All Other (SOC 45-4029) is set by the DOL and determines the minimum salary a sponsored worker must receive. The floor varies by experience level, from entry through fully competent, and shifts significantly depending on which city the worksite is located in.
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Level 1 applies to entry-level workers with limited logging experience, typically performing routine tasks under direct supervision. Workers at this level follow established procedures and have minimal independent judgment over harvesting or equipment operation decisions.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation. It covers qualified workers who perform logging tasks with moderate independence, applying established techniques without constant supervision. Most sponsored logging workers fall here based on their practical field experience.
Level 3 applies to experienced workers who handle complex logging assignments, exercise significant independent judgment, and may coordinate work across a crew or site. These workers typically bring several years of hands-on field experience in varied terrain or equipment types.
Level 4 reflects full competency, covering lead or senior-level logging workers who direct operations, mentor others, and make independent decisions on safety, technique, and equipment. This level is rare in sponsored filings and commands the highest prevailing wage floor.
Prevailing Wage for Logging Workers, All Other 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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Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Logging Workers, All Other
Confirm your worksite falls in an Oregon metro
Nearly all prevailing wage data for this occupation concentrates in Oregon metros such as Portland, Albany, Eugene, and Salem. If your worksite is outside these areas, verify coverage through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer.
Watch the gap between Portland and Redding pay floors
The prevailing wage floor for this role varies widely across the five covered metros. Portland consistently pays the highest floor while Redding, CA sits at the low end. That spread matters when comparing competing offers across state lines.
Check whether your title maps to SOC 45-4029
Logging job titles like timber cutter, faller, or skidder operator sometimes get filed under adjacent SOC codes such as 45-4021 or 45-4022, which carry different wage floors. Confirm your employer's LCA lists SOC 45-4029 specifically.
Use Migrate Mate to find active logging sponsors
Logging sponsorship is concentrated among a small set of Oregon and California timber employers. Migrate Mate shows which companies have historically sponsored workers in this occupation, helping you target employers with an established H-1B or green card track record.
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Find Jobs for Logging Workers, All OtherFrequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Logging Workers, All Other?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For SOC 45-4029, the agency computes four wage levels based on the distribution of wages reported by employers in each geographic area. OFLC publishes these figures and employers must use them when filing a Labor Condition Application.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
DOL assigns levels based on experience, supervision, and complexity of duties. Level 1 covers entry workers under close supervision, Level 2 covers qualified workers with moderate independence, Level 3 covers experienced workers exercising significant judgment, and Level 4 covers fully competent lead workers. The level on your employer's LCA must match your actual job duties, not just your job title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same logging role differ so much city to city?
DOL bases each area's wage on regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey results, which reflect local employer pay practices. Timber industry concentration, cost of labor, and union presence all vary by metro. The worksite listed on your employer's LCA determines which metro wage applies, regardless of where the company is headquartered, so a Portland worksite carries a higher floor than a Redding one.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify an LCA or receive USCIS approval for a sponsored worker if the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage level. The employer must either raise the offered salary to meet or exceed the floor or withdraw the sponsorship. Accepting a below-floor offer does not make the filing compliant, and USCIS will deny a petition based on an uncertified or miscertified LCA.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 45-4029 by metropolitan area or state. Enter the worksite city, select the occupational code, and the tool returns all four wage levels for that location. Because coverage for this occupation is limited to five metros, confirm your worksite falls within a covered area. Migrate Mate also lists employers who have sponsored this role, which helps you identify active hiring markets.
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