Log Graders and Scalers Salary
Log Graders and Scalers in Idaho make a median of $57,620 a year, or about $27.7 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $63K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.88), which stretches that salary to about $61,376 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,136/month, or 30% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Idaho. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $58K get you in Idaho?
About log graders and scalers
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What this looks like in Idaho
Idaho sits well above the national pay line for log graders and scalers, local pay runs about 24% higher than the U.S. median of $46K. Rent runs $1,136/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.88 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% 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, Idaho
Entry-level log graders and scalers (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K. Top earners bring in $63K or more, a $15K 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 Idaho numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a log graders and scaler afford a 2BR apartment alone in Idaho?
Yes — at the median salary of $58K, rent takes 29.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,136/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for log graders and scalers in Idaho?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new log graders and scalers typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,881/month. At HUD’s $1,136/month FMR, rent would take 39% 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 Idaho?
Local pay is 24% above the national median — $58K here vs. $46K nationally.
How does Idaho compare to the national average for log graders and scalers?
Idaho pays $58K median vs. the U.S. average of $46K — that’s +24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $61K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do log graders and scalers make in Idaho?
The median is $57,620 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,010, and experienced log graders and scalers can clear $62,780. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in Idaho?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,838/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,136/month, which eats 29.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a log graders and scalers salary go in Idaho?
Idaho has a Regional Price Parity of 93.88 (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 $61,376 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.