Logging and forestry labourers
Logging and forestry labourers perform a variety of manual tasks such as attaching choker cables to logs, planting trees, clearing brush, spraying chemicals, cleaning up landing areas and assisting other workers in woodlands operations.
Limited
Market Demand
TEER 5
Skill Level
NS, AB, BC
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Assist other workers at logging sites
- Attach chokers or cables to felled trees for yarding
- Plant trees using manual tools
- Spray herbicides from the ground using manual spraying equipment
- Clear trails through woodlands using chain saws
- Clean up landing areas at logging sites.
Qualifications
- checkWorkplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) certificate may be required.
- checkCompletion of secondary school may be required.
- checkChemicals application licence may be required.
- checkCompletion of pre-employment safety courses may be required.
- checkSeveral weeks of formal and on-the-job training are provided.
Market Outlook by Province
Nova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Limited for logging and forestry labourers (NOC 85120) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.Here are some key facts about logging and forestry labourers in Nova Scotia: Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Logging and forestry labourers mainly work in the following sectors: Forestry and logging (NAICS 113, 1153): 74%Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 13%Construction (NAICS 23): 10% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 63% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 37% compared to 18% for all occupations13% of logging and forestry labourers work all year, while 87% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 23 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.15% of logging and forestry labourers are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 69% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 31% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 19% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 45% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 19% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Limited
Outlook
Alberta
The employment outlook will be Very limited for logging and forestry labourers (NOC 85120) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about logging and forestry labourers in Alberta: Approximately 350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Logging and forestry labourers mainly work in the following sectors: Forestry and logging (NAICS 113, 1153): 85%Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 6% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 79% compared to 80% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 21% compared to 20% for all occupations15% of logging and forestry labourers work all year, while 85% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 24 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 68% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 32% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 18% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 57% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 8% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 19% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 21% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
Very limited
Outlook
British Columbia
The employment outlook will be Very limited for logging and forestry labourers (NOC 85120) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Employment in forestry-related professions has been declining year-over-year, and the industry faces several curtailments at wood manufacturing facilities. Stable job growth continues to be inhibited by difficulty accessing economic fibre, falling annual harvests, high U.S. duties and tariffs, and the impacts of extreme weather and wildfires, though the industry remains particularly important to rural and Indigenous communities. Provincial and federal funding for reforestation projects as well as support for wood manufacturing and mass timber may provide some employment opportunities.Here are some key facts about logging and forestry labourers in British Columbia: Approximately 1,600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Logging and forestry labourers mainly work in the following sectors: Forestry and logging (NAICS 113, 1153): 85%Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 81% compared to 78% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 19% compared to 22% for all occupations24% of logging and forestry labourers work all year, while 76% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 31 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of logging and forestry labourers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 68% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 32% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 16% compared to 8% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 53% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 8% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 14% compared to 22% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
Very limited
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 5 occupations require short-term work demonstration and minimal formal education. Immigration pathways are limited but some provincial programs apply.
Provincial Nominee Programs
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Agri-Food Pilot
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 85120 openings right now.
City of Thunder Bay
2 active roles · Thunder Bay, ON
Crescent Hotels & Resorts
1 active role · Rossland, BC
Arctic Glacier
1 active role · Mississauga, ON
Amrize
1 active role · Edmonton, AB
Nutrien
1 active role · Saskatoon, SK
ESS Support Services
1 active role · Borden, ON
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Search Logging and forestry labourersarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Quality Control Testing
to ensure logging products meet standards and sites are appropriately cleaned
Repairing and Preventative Maintenance
to ensure chainsaws, tractors and other logging machinery remain functional and effective by performing regular maintenance and minor repairs
Reaction Time
to avoid accidents by responding to sudden changes in the work environment, such as falling trees or shifting logs
Multi-Limb Coordination
to perform manual tasks such as attaching choker cables to logs, planting trees, clearing brush, spraying chemicals, cleaning up landing areas or assisting other workers in woodlands operations
Collaboration
to work with others at logging sites to ensure tasks are completed, sites are cleared and safety is maintained
Knowledge in Forestry
to understand how to safely ad effectively remove trees, plant trees or use herbicides without endangering desirable trees
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