How To Become A Chain Saw Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a chain saw operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a chain saw operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $16.64 an hour? That's $34,608 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -4% and produce -1,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreChain Saw OperatorUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $34,608

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.4

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.82%

Asian 1.07%

Black or African American 7.91%

Hispanic or Latino 9.15%

Unknown 4.92%

White 75.14%

Gender

female 4.71%

male 95.29%

Age - 40

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40

Stress level

5.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.2

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a chain saw operator

Explore chain saw operator education requirements

Most common chain saw operator degrees

High School Diploma

50.0 %

Bachelor's

16.7 %

Diploma

16.7 %

Start to develop specific chain saw operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Chain Saws	100.00%

Complete relevant chain saw operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New chain saw operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a chain saw operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real chain saw operator resumes.

Research chain saw operator duties and responsibilities

Operate battery of circular saws to cut plastic blocks containing ceramic-coat aluminum rods to length for processing into electronic resistors.
Operate 3000 ton extrusion press utilizing computerize control panels and diagnostics systems.

Prepare your chain saw operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your chain saw operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a chain saw operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable chain saw operator resume templates

Build a professional chain saw operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your chain saw operator resume.

Apply for chain saw operator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a chain saw operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do chain saw operators rate their job?

5/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Chain saw operator reviews

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021

Pros

I've been a chainsaw operator for about 3 and a half years now. I love it, it gives me a chance to be outside and around nature. I enjoy the people I work with, it is like a brotherhood. There are other tasks that you will help out with such as logistics and skidding, however the majority of the time you will be the one cutting wood and falling trees. It certainly helps a great deal if you can work well in a team, have thick skin and good social skills.

Cons

Long hours standing. Back brace recommended, there will be heavy lifting. Some rude people, just like any other job. This line of work tends to attract a-type personalities and abrasive individuals however. Almost guarenteed to have some conflict between you and your co-workers in the beginning of your career. Nothing you can't take in stride and get past.