Logging and forest trucking industry added an estimated $1.3 billion to the Northeast region in 2024, with Maine contributing $534 million of that amount, according to a study released this week.
Maine’s figure included $283 million in total labor earnings and an estimated $23 million in state tax revenues.
The Pine Tree State numbers represented 2,744 direct logging and trucking jobs, along with an additional 1,715 indirect jobs, for a total of about 4,460 jobs statewide.
First-ever study
The Augusta-based Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast released the results of its first-ever regional study on Wednesday, conducted by Wallace Economic Advisers LLC.
It showed that in 2024, logging and forest trucking supported around 6,930 jobs in the region, generated $393 million in labor income, pumped an estimated $61 million into state and local tax coffers, and remained critical to a range of industries and communities.
Challenges
The study also showed that the industry is facing significant challenges, including the loss of markets as well as market uncertainty, rising costs, shrinking profits, worker shortages and a lack of succession planning.
“The forest economy of the Northeast is built on a foundation provided by loggers and truckers, and anything that threatens that foundation threatens the entire sector, with dire consequences for the region,” said Dana Doran, executive director of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast.
A regional breakdown shows Maine leading in logging output, followed by New York, valued at $280 million with 1,911 direct and 500 indirect jobs; New Hampshire, with $243 million in economic output and 804 direct and 700 indirect jobs; and Vermont, at $140 million and 800 direct and 500 indirect jobs.
Massachusetts was at $72 million and 440 direct and 124 indirect jobs; Connecticut with $39 million and 208 direct and 72 indirect jobs; and Rhode Island at $8 million and 40 direct and 24 indirect jobs.
Loss of market
The study said loss of markets — particularly for low-grade wood — was a top threat to the industry; only 14% of those surveyed believe there are sufficient markets to sell wood.
Other threats included the rapid escalation of operating costs relative to stagnant or declining stumpage and delivered-wood rates, rising equipment prices, and an aging workforce with too few new workers.
Industry trends include a shift toward more cut-to-length logging equipment (47%) versus whole-tree (43%) being utilized by logging contractors. Only 11% of contractors continue to fell trees with chainsaws.
Declining employment
In general, the study revealed that the size of logging firms has been declining in recent years. In 2024, respondents reported an average employment total of nine workers, with more than half working in the woods, three in trucking and the remaining two working in administrative support or as mechanics. That was less than half the average of 22 workers in 2014.
Findings were based on a survey of 140 logging and trucking firms across the region.