NOC 84110: Chain saw and skidder operators

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.

Express Entry eligibility

• Skilled work (TEER 0 to 3): no, TEER 4 does not count for Express Entry.
• Canadian Experience Class: does not count.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program: does not count.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: not one of the eligible trades.
• High-wage occupation (from November 3, 2026): no. No high-wage add-on, and a job offer in it earns no CRS points.

TEER 4: Occupations that usually need a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training. Every program has other requirements too, such as language test results and, for FSW, a points test.

Category-based draws

NOC 84110 is not on any of IRCC’s occupation category lists. You can still be invited in general, Canadian Experience Class or other program draws if you qualify through other experience.

Category lists checked on canada.ca on 2026-10-17. IRCC category-based selection

CRS points for work in NOC 84110

None. Work in TEER 4 and 5 occupations earns no Canadian work points in the CRS.

See Canadian work points and the median-wage rule.

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.

For Express Entry your duties must match the lead statement and most of the main duties above.

Example job titles

• bucker
• chain saw operator - logging
• faller
• feller
• forest worker - logging
• grapple skidder operator
• landingman/woman
• pieceworker - logging
• skidder operator

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.

Similar jobs with a different code

• 85120Logging and forestry labourers
• 83110Logging machinery operators
• 84111Silviculture and forestry workers