The wood industry has a variety of employment options for job seekers. Those wanting to enter the wood industry can find many positions in procurement, manufacturing, retail, and other companies that incorporate timber products into their processes. If you’re considering a position in the wood industry, researching job information can help you determine which career choice might be the right fit for you. In this article, we discuss what the wood industry is, review some education options, examine common wood industry skills, and explore nine jobs in the wood industry for you to consider.
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What is the wood industry?
The wood or lumber industry is the market that’s focused on forestry, lumber, wood products, and timber trade. Many companies in the industry manufacture, sell, or trade primary or secondary wood products. Primary wood products include furniture or construction materials. Secondary wood products include wood pulp or shavings. The wood industry supports many other industries in domestic and international markets. Some industries the wood or forest markets support include:
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Housing
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Construction
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Retail
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Energy
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Agriculture
What kind of education do employers want?
Many educational programs can help individuals learn about the wood industry. Depending on the position, employers seek candidates with certifications, associates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. A high school diploma or GED can also help job seekers gain entry-level positions with a company. Some programs to consider in the wood industry include:
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Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification
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Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certification
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Associate degree in forestry
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Bachelor’s degree in wood science and technology
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Bachelor’s degree in forestry
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Master’s degree in wood science
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Master’s degree in forestry
Please note that none of the certifications mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.
What are some ideal skills in the wood industry?
Each position in the wood industry uses a combination of different skills. Common skills in many wood industry professions include:
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Manual dexterity: Many careers within the wood industry involve maneuvering wood pieces for manufacturing. Manual dexterity helps professionals accurately maneuver wood pieces for precise cuts.
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Attention to detail: Attention to detail can help improve a company’s quality and yield relating to wood products. Developing attention to detail skills can help professionals quickly identify any defects or timber imperfections.
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Communication skills: Having effective written and verbal communication can improve the productivity of wood industry professionals. Many careers involve recording production numbers or generating manufacturing reports.
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Problem-solving: Problem-solving skills help professionals in the timber industry resolve obstacles and improve efficiency. These skills can also help improve the quality of manufactured wood products.
9 jobs in the wood industry
Review this list of nine jobs in the wood industry, and for the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below:
1. Lumber grader
National average salary: $34,280 per year
Primary duties: Lumber graders assess the quality of timber or lumber for manufacturing. These professionals inspect hardwood and softwood to determine wood species, grade, dimensions, and defects. These professionals often maintain lumber grading logs to identify material trends with company suppliers and to report material quantities. These professionals often work in sawmills, lumber yards, or manufacturing facilities.
2. Saw operator
National average salary: $36,524 per year
Primary duties: Saw operators, or sawmill operators, operate machinery to produce rough lumber. These professionals often inspect and maintain sawmill equipment to ensure the safety and operation of the equipment. Saw operators also inspect logs, conduct loading and unloading operations, and collaborate with the sawmill team to meet production goals.
3. Wood flooring installer
National average salary: $43,261 per year
Primary duties: Wood flooring installers inspect, install, and maintain wooden floors for customers. They also provide flooring recommendations to customers to ensure that installed flooring aligns with a customer’s lifestyle and preferences. These professionals also remove and discard previous flooring materials, clean work surfaces and prepare work surfaces for flooring installation.
4. Equipment operator
National average salary: $47,318 per year
Primary duties: Equipment operators transport logs and timber materials for storage, production or shipment. They ensure material availability for production lines and ensure the safety of stored products. Operators also conduct recurring vehicle inspections to identify any maintenance or safety requirements.
5. Millwright
National average salary: $56,368 per year
Primary duties: Millwrights help maintain the various pieces of machinery and equipment in a wood processing or production company. They also help install new equipment in a facility according to manufacturer specifications. Millwrights also use welding equipment to repair metal components and machinery.
6. Procurement forester
National average salary: $62,756 per year
Primary duties: Procurement foresters help a company procure raw materials, such as timber. These professionals negotiate contracts with logging companies or landowners to procure raw materials for their organization. They also analyze a company’s budget to ensure lumber expenses are within established spending guidelines.
7. Logging truck driver
National average salary: $71,345 per year
Primary duties: Logging truck drivers transport timber to sawmills, lumber yards or other specified locations. They also inspect their timber load to ensure they apply the proper restraint to a load of raw wood materials. These drivers also conduct regular inspections of their trucks and trailers to maintain the safety and integrity of their equipment.
8. Construction manager
National average salary: $76,924 per year
Primary duties: Construction managers monitor and coordinate construction activities for residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. These professionals also inspect building materials, including lumber materials, to certify the quality of construction products. They also review contracts, schedules, and costs to ensure compliance with customer and governmental specifications.
9. Manufacturing Engineer
National average salary: $79,697 per year
Primary duties: Manufacturing engineers in the wood industry analyze manufacturing processes and identify areas for improvement. They also design manufacturing improvements to enhance existing timber manufacturing processes. These engineers also monitor ongoing timber manufacturing processes to ensure the quality and yield of timber products.
I hope you find this article helpful.
