Career comparison
Arborist vs. Landscaper
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Arborists earn more at the median ($50,960 vs. $39,150), while landscapers usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Arborists climb, prune and care for trees to keep them healthy and safe. Landscapers plant, mow, trim and care for lawns, gardens and outdoor spaces.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Arborist | Landscaper | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $50,960 ($24.50/hr) | $39,150 ($18.82/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,940 – $80,310 | $31,150 – $56,730 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.2% (about as fast as average) | +4.7% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 7,900 | 149,500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 1–3 months to start | 1–4 weeks |
| Key credential | ISA Certified Arborist | NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician |
| Work setting | Arborists work outdoors at heights, in all weather, around chainsaws, chippers and sometimes power lines.. | Landscapers work outdoors in heat, cold and rain, using power equipment and lifting heavy materials.. |
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
Landscaper
- Mow, edge and trim lawns
- Plant trees, shrubs and flowers
- Spread mulch and install sod
- Prune shrubs and small trees
- Install and repair irrigation
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, physical work, hands-on work, and teamwork. Both are part of the agriculture, landscaping & animal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose arborist if…
- I love being outdoors
- I’m comfortable with heights
- I take safety seriously
Choose landscaper if…
- I love being outdoors
- I don’t mind hard work
- I want to start right away
Still torn? Take the Arborist fit quiz and the Landscaper fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, arborist or landscaper?
Arborists earn more at the median: $50,960 versus $39,150 for landscapers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Landscapers typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than arborists (1–3 months to start).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects landscapers to grow +4.7% from 2025–35, compared with +4.2% for arborists.