Career comparison
Arborist vs. Landscaping Supervisor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Landscaping supervisors earn more at the median ($58,430 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. Landscaping supervisors lead landscaping and grounds crews to deliver great outdoor spaces.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Arborist | Landscaping Supervisor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $50,960 ($24.50/hr) | $58,430 ($28.09/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,940 – $80,310 | $40,560 – $85,650 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.2% (about as fast as average) | +4.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 7,900 | 23,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–3 months to start | Under 5 years of experience |
| Key credential | ISA Certified Arborist | NALP Landscape Industry Certified Manager |
| Work setting | Arborists work outdoors at heights, in all weather, around chainsaws, chippers and sometimes power lines.. | Supervisors work outdoors at job sites and in trucks, with some office time for scheduling and estimates.. |
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
Landscaping Supervisor
- Schedule and assign crew work
- Train and supervise workers
- Inspect work quality
- Order materials and plants
- Maintain equipment and vehicles
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, 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 landscaping supervisor if…
- I like leading crews
- I enjoy outdoor work
- I’m organized
Still torn? Take the Arborist fit quiz and the Landscaping Supervisor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, arborist or landscaping supervisor?
Landscaping Supervisors earn more at the median: $58,430 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 landscaping supervisors (Under 5 years of experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects arborists to grow +4.2% from 2025–35, compared with +4.0% for landscaping supervisors.