Log Graders and Scalers Salary
Log Graders and Scalers in North Carolina make a median of $36,850 a year, or about $17.72 an hour. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $39,769 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,284/month, about 50.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of North Carolina. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $37K get you in North Carolina?
About log graders and scalers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in North Carolina
Pay for log graders and scalers in North Carolina runs about 20% below the U.S. median of $46K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,284/month, which is 51.4% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for log graders and scalerss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level log graders and scalers (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $30K 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 North Carolina numbers change.
Related careers in Farming & Fishing
Frequently asked questions
Can a log graders and scaler afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $37K, rent takes 51.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $700/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 North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new log graders and scalers typically earn — is $34K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,020/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 64% 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 North Carolina?
Local pay runs 20% below the national median — $37K here vs. $46K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for log graders and scalers?
North Carolina pays $37K median vs. the U.S. average of $46K — that’s -20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $40K — below the national median.
How much do log graders and scalers make in North Carolina?
The median is $36,850 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,660, and experienced log graders and scalers can clear $63,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,499/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 51.4% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (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 $39,769 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.