How much does a tree trimmers and pruners make?

The median tree trimmers and pruners salary in the United States is $50,960 per year ($24.50/hour). Salaries range from $37,940 (10th percentile) to $80,310 (90th percentile). There are 55,160 tree trimmers and pruners jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays tree trimmers and prunerss the most?

The highest paying state for tree trimmers and prunerss is Minnesota at $77,460 median salary.

Is tree trimmers and pruners a good career?

Tree Trimmers and Pruners employment is projected to grow 3.3% from 2024 to 2034 (as fast as average). There are approximately 7,400 job openings per year. Typical education required: High school diploma or equivalent.

What interview questions are asked for tree trimmers and pruners roles?

Common tree trimmers and pruners interview questions include: "Walk me through removing a 60-foot maple leaning toward a house.", "You're pruning next to a primary distribution line and the wind picks up — what do you do?", "Describe your biggest crew win.". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example Asplundh Tree Expert typically uses 2-3 rounds over 1-2 weeks.

What certifications should tree trimmers and prunerss get?

Top-ROI certifications for tree trimmers and prunerss: ISA Certified Arborist ($275 exam + $50-200 prep material); ISA Certified Utility Specialist and Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist ($275 per exam); TCIA CTSP (Certified Treecare Safety Professional) ($500-1,000 program).

How do you negotiate a tree trimmers and pruners salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $50,960, p75 $63,900), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. With ISA Certified Arborist, 6 years of climbing, utility line-clearance journey qualification, and 3 years without an OSHA-recordable on my crew, market for a senior climber/journey utility position in this metro is $6...

Tree Trimmers and Pruners Salary

Q: What is the career ladder for tree trimmers and prunerss?

The typical tree trimmers and pruners career ladder: Groundman / Entry (0-1 yrs, $32-42k + OT + storm pay) → Climber / Established (1-6 yrs, $44-55k + OT + storm pay) → ISA Certified Arborist / Utility Line-Clearance Specialist (4-12 yrs, $58-78k + OT + storm pay (utility line-clearance journey $65-95k)) → Foreman / General Foreman / Owner-Operator (10+ yrs, $65-125k + bonus/profit share).

The median tree trimmers and pruners salary in the United States is $50,960 per year ($24.50/hour). Salaries range from $37,940 at the entry level to $80,310+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 55,160 tree trimmers and pruners jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3.3% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asTree TrimmerArborist

Median Salary

$50,960

per year

Hourly Rate

$24.50

per hour

Employment

55,160

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$37,940

25th percentile

$44,840

Median

$50,960

75th percentile

$63,900

90th percentile

$80,310

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+3.3%

As fast as average

Annual Openings

7,400

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Short-term on-the-job training

Tree Trimmers and Pruners Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for tree trimmers and prunerss.

Tree trimmers and climbing arborists prune, rig, and remove trees for utility line clearance, residential and commercial property, and municipal urban forestry. Entry $38-46k as groundman; established climber $44-55k; senior/lead $52-62k; ISA Certified Arborist $58-72k; foreman or utility line-clearance journey $65-95k; storm-response and overtime years can add $15-40k more. Utility contract work (Asplundh, Davey, Wright) dominates volume; premium residential (Bartlett, SavATree) commands higher pay for skilled climbing.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Climbing, rigging, and aerial rescue

SRT (single-rope technique) and DdRT (moving rope) climbing, running bowlines, port-a-wrap and lowering devices, spar-pole rigging, and aerial rescue drills. Working aloft with a chainsaw is the single most dangerous task in the field.

Chainsaw operation and cut technique

Top-handle saws (Stihl MS 201T, Husqvarna T540i) for aerial work, ground saws for felling and bucking. Face-notch, back-cut, hinge management, and reactive-wood awareness. Bore cuts and plunge cuts on hangers.

Chipper safety and ground operations

Bandit, Vermeer, Morbark drum chippers; feed roller safety, jam clearing, and butt-first feeding. Chipper injuries are frequently fatal — the industry treats chipper feed as a high-risk task.

Electrical hazard and minimum approach distance (utility line clearance)

OSHA 1910.269 minimum approach distance based on voltage (typically 2 ft 4 in for distribution, more for transmission). Recognize primary vs secondary conductors, transformers, and induced voltage. Line-clearance certified journeyman required to work inside MAD.

Tree biology and ID

Species identification, target pruning cuts at the branch collar, natural target pruning per ANSI A300, and disease/pest recognition (oak wilt, EAB, Dutch elm, pine beetle). Wrong cut kills the tree slowly; right cut heals over a growing season.

OSHA 1910.269, ANSI Z133, and TCIA safety standards

PPE (helmet, eye/ear pro, chaps, cut-resistant gloves), fall protection when climbing, LOTO for chippers, and daily job briefings. Two-person crew minimum on any tree work per ANSI Z133.

Physical stamina and endurance

10-hour days climbing, hauling rope, pulling brush, and running saws overhead. Storm-response work is 14-16 hour shifts for 3-8 weeks straight. Physical conditioning is a real job requirement, not a bonus.

How to Become a Tree Trimmers and Pruners

1
Complete high school or GED plus OSHA 10 and ANSI Z133 safety training
OSHA 10-Hour construction typically $60-150 online. ANSI Z133 training is covered in most industry safety courses. Some crews will train green hires on the ground the first month.
2
Start as a groundman on a residential or utility crew
$32-40k plus overtime. Drag brush, feed chipper, run haul truck, hand tools up to the climber. 6-18 months typical before moving to entry climber tasks.
3
Complete climber training and TCIA credentials
TCIA CTSP (Certified Treecare Safety Professional) or Tree Care Academy skills courses. Learn spurs (for removals only), saddle, friction hitches, and controlled descent.
4
Earn ISA Certified Arborist and, for utility work, ISA Certified Utility Specialist plus line-clearance journeyman
$275 per ISA exam. Line-clearance qualification typically 18 months minimum from utility contractor. Adds $8-18k to base pay.
5
Advance to Foreman, Utility General Foreman, or crew owner
$65-125k+. Foreman runs a 3-5 person crew on bidding, scheduling, safety, and quality. Utility General Foreman coordinates 2-6 crews for storm restoration and cyclical trimming. Owner-operators of small residential outfits vary widely — $70-165k gross depending on region and specialty.

Career Progression

Groundman / Entry

0-1 yrs$32-42k + OT + storm pay

•Drag brush, feed chipper (butt-first, never headfirst), maintain haul area
•Hand tools and rigging gear up to climber
•Ground-level saw work (bucking logs, felling small trees under 6 in DBH)
•Complete OSHA 10, first-aid/CPR, and chipper safety training

Next: Entry climber at 6-18 months.

Climber / Established

1-6 yrs$44-55k + OT + storm pay

•Ascend on SRT or DdRT to work canopy
•Perform pruning per ANSI A300 (crown cleaning, thinning, raising, reduction)
•Rig limbs on port-a-wrap or ArboRope for controlled lowering
•Run top-handle saw at reactive-wood cuts and hangers

Next: ISA Certified Arborist or utility line-clearance specialty at 4-8 years.

ISA Certified Arborist / Utility Line-Clearance Specialist

4-12 yrs$58-78k + OT + storm pay (utility line-clearance journey $65-95k)

•Complex removals and high-value tree pruning (mature oak, specimen residential trees)
•Utility line-clearance work inside MAD on distribution and transmission corridors
•Mentor climbers and groundmen; sign off on aerial rescue drills
•Client-facing quotes and diagnostic assessment for tree health, cabling, and lightning protection

Next: Foreman at 8-15 years.

Foreman / General Foreman / Owner-Operator

10+ yrs$65-125k + bonus/profit share

•Run 3-5 person crew or supervise 2-6 crews at utility contractor
•Bid residential and commercial jobs; write estimates and scopes
•Own safety program compliance and OSHA reporting
•Handle client relationships, storm-response coordination, and equipment scheduling

Next: Regional Manager, Ops Director, or owner-operator of an independent residential firm.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through removing a 60-foot maple leaning toward a house.technical

First, assess: lean direction, target zones, escape paths, and wind. Set up rigging on a strong upper anchor — usually a leader above the crotch — with a port-a-wrap at the base and a groundman on the pull line. Climb SRT or spur into the leaning canopy. Take smaller limbs off first to reduce weight on the leaning side. Rig larger pieces off the top down, always butt-tied for controlled descent. When only the spar remains, tie a bull line high, notch on the fall side, back-cut with hinge control, and let the ground crew pull the spar into the drop zone. Radio contact with the ground the whole time.

Q2. You're pruning next to a primary distribution line and the wind picks up — what do you do?situational

Get out of MAD immediately. Line-clearance qualification means I know 2 ft 4 in is the minimum approach for standard distribution; a swaying branch or a shifting climb rope inside that distance is an energized-contact risk. I re-anchor, communicate to the foreman, and either wait out the wind or reschedule. No production pressure justifies going inside MAD in gusty conditions. Log the delay and the reason.

Q3. Describe your biggest crew win.behavioral

STAR. Situation: 2023 ice storm in [region] took out 40+ miles of primary line in our service territory over a 36-hour event. Task: our 4-crew contract team was assigned a 12-mile section on 16-hour shifts for 21 days. Action: I ran lead climber on the priority-1 spans (hospital, water pump station), coordinated with the utility troubleshooter on live-line locations, and enforced a 30-minute rest break every 4 hours because I could see fatigue coming into cuts. Result: our crew closed every assigned span on schedule with zero OSHA-recordable injuries — the two nearest contract crews had 3 recordables between them.

Q4. Why arboriculture?culture

I like the mix of physical craft, biology, and controlled risk. Every tree is a puzzle — the pruning cuts have to be right for the tree to heal, and the rigging plan has to be right for the crew to go home safe. And the pay ceiling with ISA and line-clearance credentials is real — $70-95k as a journey utility climber is more than most trades pay without a college degree.

Q5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?closer

ISA Certified Arborist by year two, and either utility line-clearance journey or a foreman track by year five. Long term I'd like to run my own residential crew — I have a mechanical background and a small business would fit. Or stay on the utility side if the pension and steady-work trade-off holds up.

Resume Template — Groundman / Entry (0-1 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Groundman / Entry (0-1 yrs)

▸Supported 3-crew residential operation with 220+ jobs completed and zero OSHA-recordable incidents.
▸OSHA 10, ANSI Z133 orientation, and Bandit chipper safety certified.
▸Fed 8-in and 12-in chippers on daily brush production averaging 12-18 cubic yards per crew per day.
▸Cross-trained on ground chainsaw operation (Stihl MS 271), truck operation, and basic climbing at 40 ft.

What Gets You Rejected

✗Weak safety awareness — freelancing on PPE, cutting corners on rigging, or ignoring job briefings gets people killed.
✗Cannot handle heights — you'll know in the first week whether climbing is going to work for you.
✗Poor tool discipline — dull chain, mis-tensioned bar, no daily saw check. Reactive-wood cuts with a bad saw are how climbers get pinched or worse.
✗Weak understanding of electrical hazards — MAD violations near primary lines cause fatalities every year in this trade.
✗Won't invest in gear — a $600 saddle and $400 rope are your safety, not the company's problem.
✗Skips storm response — utility contractors expect availability for 3-8 week storm work, and it's where the pay year comes from.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓ISA Certified Arborist — $6-12k premium and unlocks residential premium accounts.
✓Utility line-clearance journeyman qualification — $10-20k premium over generalist climbers.
✓TCIA CTSP (safety leadership) — required for foreman track at most large contractors; adds $5-10k.
✓Metro premium: NYC, Boston, DC, SF Bay pay 20-40% above rural Southeast market.
✓Storm response availability — utility contractors pay 1.5-2x hourly plus per diem for 14-16 hour storm shifts; a busy storm year adds $20-40k.
✓CDL Class B — required for chip trucks at most contractors; $2-5k pay bump plus access to more crews.

Tree Trimmers and Pruners Resume Review — $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired tree trimmers and prunerss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

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✓ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Tree Trimmers and Pruners Career Kit — $19

✓ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
✓ 6 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
✓ Interview format intel for 6 top employers
✓ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
✓ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
✓ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
✓ Detailed salary negotiation script
✓ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
✓ Downloadable PDF for offline access
✓ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription

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Tree Trimmers and Pruners Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$39K

$77K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
Minnesota	$77,460	+52.0%	0
Oregon	$75,440	+48.0%	1,610
New Jersey	$71,940	+41.2%	0
Illinois	$64,450	+26.5%	700
Washington	$63,850	+25.3%	700
California	$62,550	+22.7%	9,610
Massachusetts	$62,550	+22.7%	2,090
New York	$62,400	+22.4%	3,750
Vermont	$62,170	+22.0%	430
Missouri	$61,140	+20.0%	970

Showing 1–10 of 49

Tree Trimmers and Pruners Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$77,460	+52.0%
New Haven, CT	$76,450	+50.0%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$75,980	+49.1%
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$75,570	+48.3%
Syracuse, NY	$75,140	+47.4%
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$74,580	+46.4%
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$73,570	+44.4%
Salem, OR	$71,190	+39.7%
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$70,550	+38.4%
Bend, OR	$70,250	+37.9%

Showing 1–10 of 145

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A tree trimmers and pruners earning $50,960/year would need 1170 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1256 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

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📈 See how tree trimmers and pruners salaries have changed over the past decade.

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