CFChooseField
Agriculture and Natural Resources

Fallers

Use axes or chainsaws to fell trees using knowledge of tree characteristics and cutting techniques to control direction of fall and minimize tree damage.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Fallers
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Median pay

$53,900
Median annual pay for Fallers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-7.3%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

5,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Fallers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Mathematics

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mechanical
  2. 2Production and Processing
  3. 3Administration and Management
  4. 4Public Safety and Security
  5. 5Customer and Personal Service
  6. 6Mathematics

Abilities

  1. 1Reaction Time
  2. 2Multilimb Coordination
  3. 3Control Precision
  4. 4Arm-Hand Steadiness
  5. 5Manual Dexterity
  6. 6Speed of Limb Movement

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Cautiousness
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Self-Control
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Attention to Detail
  6. 6Stress Tolerance

Work activities

  1. 1Performing General Physical Activities
  2. 2Controlling Machines and Processes
  3. 3Handling and Moving Objects
  4. 4Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  5. 5Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  6. 6Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  3. 3Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
  4. 4Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  5. 5Freedom to Make Decisions
  6. 6Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

Representative tasks

  • Stop saw engines, pull cutting bars from cuts, and run to safety as tree falls.
  • 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.
  • Saw back-cuts, leaving sufficient sound wood to control direction of fall.
  • Clear brush from work areas and escape routes, and cut saplings and other trees from direction of falls, using axes, chainsaws, or bulldozers.
  • Measure felled trees and cut them into specified log lengths, using chain saws and axes.
  • Assess logs after cutting to ensure that the quality and length are correct.
  • Determine position, direction, and depth of cuts to be made, and placement of wedges or jacks.
  • 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.

Software and tools

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Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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