Career comparison
Arborist vs. Electrical Lineworker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Electrical lineworkers earn more at the median ($95,320 vs. $50,960), while arborists usually get to work faster (1–3 months to start of training). Arborists climb, prune and care for trees to keep them healthy and safe. Electrical lineworkers build and repair the power lines that deliver electricity, on poles, in buckets and underground.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Arborist | Electrical Lineworker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $50,960 ($24.50/hr) | $95,320 ($45.83/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,940 – $80,310 | $51,470 – $128,690 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.2% (about as fast as average) | +10.3% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 7,900 | 10,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–3 months to start | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | ISA Certified Arborist | Journeyman lineworker |
| Work setting | Arborists work outdoors at heights, in all weather, around chainsaws, chippers and sometimes power lines.. | Lineworkers work outdoors in all weather, at heights and around high-voltage electricity. |
What each job does
Arborist
- Prune trees and shrubs
- Remove trees safely
- Clear branches from power lines
- Operate chippers and stump grinders
- Climb with ropes and harnesses
Electrical Lineworker
- Install and maintain overhead and underground power lines
- Climb poles and operate bucket trucks and digger derricks
- Replace transformers, insulators, crossarms and conductors
- Restore power after storms and emergencies
- Follow switching orders and isolate and ground lines
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, physical work, hands-on work, and teamwork. They sit in different fields, agriculture, landscaping & animal care and skilled trades & construction, but share transferable skills such as safety focus and teamwork and trust.
Which should you choose?
Choose arborist if…
- I love being outdoors
- I’m comfortable with heights
- I take safety seriously
Choose electrical lineworker if…
- Heights don’t bother me
- I can follow strict safety procedures every single time
- I’m physically strong and like demanding work
Still torn? Take the Arborist fit quiz and the Electrical Lineworker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, arborist or electrical lineworker?
Electrical Lineworkers earn more at the median: $95,320 versus $50,960 for arborists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Arborists typically train faster (1–3 months to start) than electrical lineworkers (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects electrical lineworkers to grow +10.3% from 2025–35, compared with +4.2% for arborists.