Log Graders and Scalers Salary
Log Graders and Scalers in Alabama make a median of $44,950 a year, or about $21.61 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $59K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.36), which stretches that salary to about $50,871 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,085/month, about 35.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Alabama. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $45K get you in Alabama?
About log graders and scalers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Alabama
Log graders and scalers pay in Alabama tracks closely to the national median, $45K locally vs. $46K nationwide, a 3% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,085/month, which is 36.1% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.36 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alabama
Entry-level log graders and scalers (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K. Top earners bring in $59K or more, a $24K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track log graders and scalers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alabama numbers change.
Related careers in Farming & Fishing
Frequently asked questions
Can a log graders and scaler afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alabama?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $45K, rent takes 36.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,085/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for log graders and scalers in Alabama?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new log graders and scalers typically earn — is $35K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,116/month. At HUD’s $1,085/month FMR, rent would take 51% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is log graders and scaler a high-paying job in Alabama?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $45K locally vs. $46K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Alabama compare to the national average for log graders and scalers?
Alabama pays $45K median vs. the U.S. average of $46K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.36), the purchasing-power equivalent is $51K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do log graders and scalers make in Alabama?
The median is $44,950 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,270, and experienced log graders and scalers can clear $58,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in Alabama?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,006/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,085/month, which eats 36.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a log graders and scalers salary go in Alabama?
Alabama has a Regional Price Parity of 88.36 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median log graders and scalers salary is worth about $50,871 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do log graders and scalers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.