Tree Trimmers and Pruners
Using sophisticated climbing and rigging techniques, cut away dead or excess branches from trees or shrubs to maintain right-of-way for roads, sidewalks, or utilities, or to improve appearance, health, and value of tree. Prune or treat trees or shrubs using handsaws, hand pruners, clippers, and power pruners. Works off the ground in the tree canopy and may use truck-mounted lifts.
Also called: Arborist · Climber · Grounds Worker · Groundsman · Laborer · Plant Health Care Technician
Median pay (national)
$50,430
$37,660–$78,900 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
47,870
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.3%
~7,400 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for tree trimmers and pruners shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $78,900 versus $37,660 at the bottom 10% — 2.1x. The median of $50,430 leaves roughly 56% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.3% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 7,400 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, Alaska pays the most for this role (median $84,740, +68% vs the national median), while Nebraska sits lowest at $37,220 — a 128% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines.
- Cut away dead and excess branches from trees, or clear branches around power lines, using climbing equipment or buckets of extended truck booms, or chainsaws, hooks, handsaws, shears, and clippers.
- Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment.
- Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
- Climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas.
- Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes or to remove low-hanging branches.
- Load debris and refuse onto trucks and haul it away for disposal.
- Inspect trees to determine if they have diseases or pest problems.
- Trim jagged stumps, using saws or pruning shears.
- Collect debris and refuse from tree trimming and removal operations into piles, using shovels, rakes, or other tools.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
- Transportation
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administration and Management