Forestry machinery technician
Also known as: forestry machinery operator, forest machinery operative, forestry machine repairer, forestry machine operator, forestry machinery repairman, forest machine repairer
About this occupation
Forestry machinery technicians maintain and transport forestry machinery. As part of the maintenance of forestry machinery, they make use of specialised software and data recording systems and instruments.
A specialisation of land-based machinery technician.
Essential skills and knowledge
- use technical documentation
- use welding equipment
- use power tools
- operate welding equipment
- mechanical components of vehicles
- maintain forestry equipment
- solve ICT system problems
- industrial software
- analyse ICT system
- operate forestry machinery
- drive timber machine
- debug software
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3041.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.
- Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
- Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
- Record details of repairs made and parts used.
- Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
- Clean and lubricate parts.
- Typical education (US)
- Post-Secondary Certificate
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Operation and Control, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$56,550 a year (2025), 37,870 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalExtremely important (4.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.7)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.4)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.4)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Post-Secondary Certificate
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
- Millwrights
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.