Landscaper
Plant, mow, trim and care for lawns, gardens and outdoor spaces.
- $39,150
- 1–4 weeks
Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care career
Arborist
Also called: Tree Trimmer · Tree Climber · Tree Care Specialist · Line Clearance Arborist
What arborists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an arborist do?
Tree trimmers and pruners cut away dead or excess branches, remove trees, clear branches from power lines and help keep trees healthy. The median pay is $50,960 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–3 months to start, and employment is projected to grow +4.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$50,960$24.50/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.2%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year7,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train1–3 months to startTypical program length
- U.S. jobs70,600Employment, 2025
What arborists do
Arborists care for trees. They climb or use bucket trucks to prune branches, remove dangerous trees, clear limbs from power lines, grind stumps, assess tree health and treat pests and diseases. Line clearance arborists work for utilities to keep power lines clear.
Most arborists learn on the job, starting as ground workers. The work is physically demanding and among the more hazardous outdoor jobs, so training and safety are essential. ISA certification shows professional knowledge.
Typical duties
- Prune trees and shrubs
- Remove trees safely
- Clear branches from power lines
- Operate chippers and stump grinders
- Climb with ropes and harnesses
- Assess tree health and hazards
- Clean up job sites
Work environment and schedule
Arborists work outdoors at heights, in all weather, around chainsaws, chippers and sometimes power lines.
Schedule: Most work full-time; storm work can mean long days and emergency callouts.
A day in the life
- Hold a job briefing and inspect climbing gear.
- Set up cones and a drop zone.
- Climb and prune deadwood from an oak.
- Lower limbs with rigging.
See a full day in the life of an arborist →
Arborist salary
Half of arborists earned more than $50,960 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,940 for the lowest 10% to $80,310 for the top 10%.
Full arborist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an arborist
- Get hired as a ground worker
- Learn chainsaw and chipper safety
- Learn to climb
- Earn ISA certification
- Advance
A high school diploma is typical. Arborists learn on the job; ISA certification requires experience or education.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an arborist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Tree climbing
- Chainsaw operation
- Rigging
- Pruning techniques
- Tree identification
People skills
- Safety focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Focus
All arborist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Exciting, physical work
- Work outdoors with trees
- Learn on the job
- Storm work overtime
Cons
- Serious hazards at heights and near lines
- Physically demanding
- Weather exposure
- Emergency callouts
Certifications and licenses
- ISA Certified Arborist: The leading tree care credential.
- ISA Certified Tree Worker/Climber Specialist: Climbing credential.
- TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional: Safety credential.
- Electrical Hazards Awareness Program (EHAP): Training for work near power lines.
Career path
- Ground Worker: Support crews.
- Climber or Bucket Operator: Prune and remove trees.
- Crew Leader: Lead crews.
- Consulting Arborist or Owner: Assess trees or run a business.
Learn the job before day one
Our Arborist training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as make a proper pruning cut and set up a safe work zone, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Forest and Conservation Worker
Plant trees, build trails and help keep forests healthy.
- $43,680
- 1–3 months
Logging Equipment Operator
Run the heavy machines that harvest and move timber.
- $49,740
- 1–12 months
Electrical Lineworker
Build and repair the power lines that deliver electricity, on poles, in buckets and underground.
- $95,320
- 3–4 years (apprenticeship)
Compare: Arborist vs. Landscaper · Arborist vs. Forestry Worker · Arborist vs. Logging Equipment Operator · Arborist vs. Lineworker
Arborist FAQ
Is tree work dangerous?
It’s among the more hazardous outdoor jobs, so training and safety are critical.
Do arborists need certification?
Not always, but ISA certification is valued.
What is line clearance?
Pruning trees near power lines for utilities, which requires special training.
How much does an arborist make?
The median annual wage for arborists was $50,960 ($24.50 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,940 and the highest 10% earned more than $80,310.
How long does it take to become an arborist?
Most people need about 1–3 months to start of training. A high school diploma is typical. Arborists learn on the job; ISA certification requires experience or education.
Do you need a degree to be an arborist?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 37-3013 (Tree trimmers and pruners).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Tree trimmers and pruners (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.