Logging Revenue Benchmarks
The average logging business in the United States generates $1.6M in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 7,497 logging businesses in the U.S., employing 45,129 workers with an average profit margin of 22.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $57K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a Logging Business Actually Do?
Businesses that harvest timber from forestland — cutting, skidding, and transporting logs to sawmills. Includes company crews and independent contract loggers. Very cyclical with building materials markets.
Who buys: Sawmills, pulp mills, paper mills, exporters.
Average Revenue
$1.6M
per year
Profit Margin
22.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$261K
per year
Total Businesses
7,497
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$346K
small business avg
Labor Cost
20.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$57K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
2.3
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Logging Charge?
Loggers are paid by volume of timber harvested — measured in board feet or tons.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Standing timber value (per acre) | $500–5,000/acre |
Logging cost (per ton) | $15–45/ton |
Delivered log price (softwood) | $300–650/thousand board feet |
Delivered log price (hardwood) | $400–1,500/thousand board feet |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete logging business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a logging business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the logging industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Seed, feed, fertilizer | $35 | $547K | Inputs — the direct materials to produce the crop or raise the animal. |
Wages & benefits | $20 | $314K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $6 | $91K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $2 | $27K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $16 | $246K | Equipment depreciation, fuel, insurance, veterinary, water rights. |
Net profit | $22 | $346K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
8.37%
openings/year
Closure Rate
11.27%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
-4.75%
annual
Businesses Closed
663
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Logging Business?
Startup Cost
$50K – $250K
Break-Even
5 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a logging business do?
- Businesses that harvest timber from forestland — cutting, skidding, and transporting logs to sawmills. Includes company crews and independent contract loggers. Very cyclical with building materials markets. Sawmills, pulp mills, paper mills, exporters.
- How much do logging charge?
- Loggers are paid by volume of timber harvested — measured in board feet or tons. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average logging make per year?
- The average logging business generates $1.6M in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $346K per year at a 22.0% profit margin.
- How many logging businesses are there in the US?
- There are 7,497 logging businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 45,129 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a logging business?
- Startup costs for a logging business typically range from $50K to $250K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the logging industry?
- The average employee in the logging industry earns $57K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The logging industry is contracting — losing jobs at a net rate of 4.8% per year. More establishments are closing (11.3%) than opening (8.4%), suggesting market challenges.
Approximately 55% of logging businesses survive their first 5 years. This is near the national average (~50%), with typical business risk. In 2023, 663 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the logging industry earns $56,619/year. This is near the national average of ~$65K. With 7,936 establishments employing 43,958 people, the typical business has about 6 employees.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The logging industry has declined 41% since 2000 (from 10,967 to 6,449 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Logging revenue with other industries: