NOC 84110: Chain saw and skidder operators
What chain saw and skidder operators do
Chain saw and skidder operators operate chain saws to fell, delimb and buck trees, and operate skidders to move or yard the felled trees from the logging site to the landing area for processing and transportation. They are employed by logging companies and contractors.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Operate chain saw to fell, delimb and buck trees at the logging site and loading area
- Operate cable, or grapple skidder to move or yard the felled trees from the logging site to the landing area for processing and transportation
- Assess site, terrain and weather conditions before felling and yarding trees
- May work as member of a team rotating between chain saw operation and skidder operation
- May maintain and perform minor repairs on skidders, chain saws and other equipment.
Job titles under NOC 84110
30 job titles are classified here, including bucker, chain saw operator - logging, faller.
- bucker
- bucker - logging
- cable skidder operator
- chain saw operator - logging
- chaser - logging
- cordwood cutter
- cutter - logging
- faller
- faller - logging
- faller and bucker - logging
- feller
- feller - logging
- forest worker - logging
- grapple skidder operator
- hardwood faller and bucker
- horse logger
- landing bucker - logging
- landingman/woman
- landingman/woman - logging
- log cutter
- logger
- logging tractor operator
- lumberjack
- pieceworker - logging
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school may be required.
- Completion of a college program for forest workers may be required.
- Formal training in chain saw operation and maintenance and several months of on-the-job training are usually provided.
- Previous experience as a logging and forestry labourer or logging machine operator may be required. Experience requirements vary depending on the type and location of woodlands operations.
- Provincial certification or a forest worker program certificate is required in some provinces.
- Trade certification for fallers is available, but voluntary in Quebec.
- Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) and first aid certificates may be required.
Chain saw and skidder operators wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $20.00/hr | $30.00/hr | $40.00/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $20.00/hr | $28.00/hr | $35.00/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $34.88/hr | $39.79/hr | $43.00/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
New Brunswick | $18.00/hr | $23.00/hr | $30.00/hr |
Quebec | $20.00/hr | $28.00/hr | $35.00/hr |
Ontario | $20.00/hr | $26.00/hr | $33.00/hr |
Manitoba | $18.00/hr | $22.73/hr | $29.00/hr |
Saskatchewan | $16.40/hr | $25.00/hr | $32.00/hr |
Alberta | $21.50/hr | $30.00/hr | $37.00/hr |
British Columbia | $28.00/hr | $35.00/hr | $41.50/hr |
Using NOC 84110 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 30 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Logging and forestry labourers (NOC 85120)
- Logging machinery operators (NOC 83110)
- Silviculture and forestry workers (NOC 84111)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for chain saw and skidder operators?
Chain saw and skidder operators are NOC 2021 unit group 84110. Example job titles in this group include bucker, chain saw operator - logging, faller, feller.
What TEER is NOC 84110?
NOC 84110 is TEER 4 (High school and on-the-job training). Usually requires completion of secondary school, or several weeks of on-the-job training. TEER 4 and 5 work does not count as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do chain saw and skidder operators earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $30.00/hr, about $59,000 a year full-time, with a range of $20.00/hr to $40.00/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.