Overview
Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders inspect and grade lumber, shingles, veneer, waferboard and similar wood products to identify defects, ensure conformance to company specifications and classify products according to industry standards. They are employed by sawmills, planing mills, wood treatment plants, waferboard plants and other wood processing companies.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Lumber graders
Examine lumber visually for knots, holes, splits and other defects and sort for further drying, trimming or remanufacturing
Measure lumber using callipers, gauges and tape measures to ensure specified thickness, length and width
Classify and sort lumber according to industry standards and stamp lumber to indicate grade, wood type, moisture level and other characteristics
Tally lumber
Complete and maintain reports.
Other wood processing inspectors and graders
Inspect plywood panels, veneer sheets, panelboards, shingles and similar wood products visually for knots, holes, splits, straightness and other defects
Mark defects and sort for repair or reprocessing
Measure wood products to ensure conformance to specifications using standard measuring instruments
Grade and label wood products according to quality standards
Complete and maintain inspection and grading reports.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$41,712
$62,568
$83,424
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
106expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is usually required.
On-the-job training and up to two weeks of classroom training are provided for lumber graders.
Previous experience as a sawmill machine operator, other wood processing operator or as a labourer in wood processing is usually required for graders and inspectors in this unit group.
Additional information
There is some mobility between employers processing similar wood products.
Certification requirements
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.