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These Are The 10 Best Cities For Lumberjacks

By Chris Kolmar
Dec. 12, 2016
Last Modified and Fact Checked on: Jan. 31, 2026

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Top 10 Cities for Lumberjack Careers in 2026

As you embark on your career journey or consider a change, it’s crucial to understand which regions in the U.S. provide the most promising opportunities for lumberjacks. For a profession such as Logging Equipment Operators, location can significantly influence both salary and job availability.

To assist you in making informed decisions, we at Zippia analyzed the cities that present the best prospects for lumberjacks in 2026. Our research identifies locations across the country where lumberjacks enjoy competitive salaries, ample job openings, and favorable living conditions.

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we compiled a list highlighting the best cities for lumberjacks based on job availability, salary, and cost of living. Here are the top ten cities:

  1. Longview, WA
  2. Albany, OR
  3. Olympia, WA
  4. Corvallis, OR
  5. Mount Vernon, WA
  6. Bellingham, WA
  7. Salem, OR
  8. Eugene, OR
  9. Macon, GA
  10. Spokane, WA

Longview stands out as the top city for lumberjacks in 2026, thanks to its favorable combination of salary and job opportunities.

Conversely, if you’re considering a career in this field, you may want to steer clear of Tampa, Florida.

Continue reading to learn more about our research methodology and the details behind the top ten cities.

How We Identified the Best Cities for Lumberjacks




At Zippia, we engage with numerous job seekers from diverse backgrounds. Our findings reveal that two key factors drive job satisfaction:

  • Job availability
  • Competitive pay

To uncover the best cities for lumberjacks in the U.S., we evaluated locations based on job availability and salary levels. Our analysis involved the following criteria sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  • Location quotient: A metric indicating the prevalence of lumberjack jobs in a specific area.
  • Average annual salary.
  • Average annual salary for entry-level positions.

We adjusted the salary data for cost of living differences across states to ensure a fair comparison. Our analysis included 56 metropolitan areas, with each area’s primary city identified for evaluation. For example, the “Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division” was simplified to Boston.

To create a comprehensive ranking, we assigned each city a score based on its performance across the criteria, with the lowest score indicating the best city for lumberjacks.

Now, let’s delve into the specifics that make each city an excellent choice for lumberjacks.

1. Longview, WA

Total Jobs: 250
Average Annual Salary: $52,130
Average Entry Level Salary: $42,440
Location Quotient: 35.26

2. Albany, OR

Total Jobs: 130
Average Annual Salary: $48,240
Average Entry Level Salary: $38,970
Location Quotient: 15.67

3. Olympia, WA

Total Jobs: 110
Average Annual Salary: $59,480
Average Entry Level Salary: $42,650
Location Quotient: 5.44

4. Corvallis, OR

Total Jobs: 100
Average Annual Salary: $45,530
Average Entry Level Salary: $35,230
Location Quotient: 14.12

5. Mount Vernon, WA

Total Jobs: 50
Average Annual Salary: $47,120
Average Entry Level Salary: $40,780
Location Quotient: 5.05

6. Bellingham, WA

Total Jobs: 80
Average Annual Salary: $46,500
Average Entry Level Salary: $38,200
Location Quotient: 5.17

7. Salem, OR

Total Jobs: 260
Average Annual Salary: $43,830
Average Entry Level Salary: $36,960
Location Quotient: 8.3

8. Eugene, OR

Total Jobs: 280
Average Annual Salary: $42,670
Average Entry Level Salary: $33,480
Location Quotient: 9.68

9. Macon, GA

Total Jobs: 100
Average Annual Salary: $43,900
Average Entry Level Salary: $31,720
Location Quotient: 4.94

10. Spokane, WA

Total Jobs: 220
Average Annual Salary: $44,470
Average Entry Level Salary: $34,400
Location Quotient: 5.02

Summary of the Best Cities for Lumberjacks

If you’re starting your career as a lumberjack, these cities should be at the forefront of your job search. They offer attractive salaries, abundant job opportunities, and pathways for advancement.

For those interested, here are the least favorable cities for lumberjack careers in America:

  1. Tampa, FL
  2. Pittsburgh, PA
  3. Albany, NY

Comprehensive Overview of the Best Cities for Lumberjacks

Rank State Average Salary Entry Level Salary # Of People
1 Longview, WA $52,130 $42,440 250
2 Albany, OR $48,240 $38,970 130
3 Olympia, WA $59,480 $42,650 110
4 Corvallis, OR $45,530 $35,230 100
5 Mount Vernon, WA $47,120 $40,780 50
6 Bellingham, WA $46,500 $38,200 80
7 Salem, OR $43,830 $36,960 260
8 Eugene, OR $42,670 $33,480 280
9 Macon, GA $43,900 $31,720 100
10 Spokane, WA $44,470 $34,400 220
11 Longview, TX $42,540 $33,770 50
12 Coeur d’Alene, ID $37,180 $26,110 100
13 Seattle, WA $54,370 $39,670 110
14 Beaumont, TX $46,200 $29,370 90
15 Little Rock, AR $41,240 $31,720 70
16 Florence, AL $36,530 $25,670 70
17 Missoula, MT $36,780 $29,640 70
18 Tacoma, WA $44,290 $32,920 120
19 Portland, OR $44,270 $36,110 320
20 Monroe, LA $39,430 $28,470 60
21 Redding, CA $42,230 $32,300 140
22 Alexandria, LA $38,200 $29,050 50
23 Panama City, FL $43,340 $25,600 80
24 Spartanburg, SC $37,470 $29,410 50
25 Charleston, SC $36,820 $27,480 190
26 Duluth, MN $40,550 $32,850 80
27 Pine Bluff, AR $32,160 $21,780 60
28 Eau Claire, WI $38,280 $32,540 50
29 Bangor, ME $34,950 $27,290 120
30 Florence, SC $36,730 $25,280 50
31 Valdosta, GA $37,520 $18,990 50
32 Baton Rouge, LA $37,670 $27,520 100
33 Dothan, AL $32,810 $21,670 70
34 Jackson, TN $34,600 $25,860 40
35 Hattiesburg, MS $32,070 $18,240 100
36 Tuscaloosa, AL $31,640 $18,000 160
37 Jacksonville, FL $40,890 $28,800 140
38 Bend, OR $37,030 $27,040 50
39 Raleigh, NC $39,010 $27,820 70
40 Charlottesville, VA $35,980 $23,060 170
41 Santa Rosa, CA $44,720 $31,100 40
42 Jackson, MS $33,690 $26,580 40
43 Charlotte, NC $39,240 $25,960 120
44 Augusta, GA $31,980 $21,510 150
45 Lynchburg, VA $38,930 $18,910 90
46 Birmingham, AL $31,740 $19,130 190
47 Montgomery, AL $28,980 $17,630 110
48 Atlanta, GA $34,210 $22,740 160
49 Greensboro, NC $31,870 $21,590 40
50 Columbia, SC $28,140 $16,740 120
51 Shreveport, LA $29,050 $16,940 60
52 Portland, ME $34,490 $17,940 40
53 Greenville, SC $28,000 $16,480 80
54 Albany, NY $31,100 $21,810 50
55 Pittsburgh, PA $25,540 $20,710 40
56 Tampa, FL $35,500 $17,970 40
Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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