Arborists
Overview
Introduction
Arborists are professionals who practice arboriculture, which is the care of trees and shrubs, especially those found in urban areas. Arborists prune and fertilize trees and other woody plants as well as monitor them for insects and diseases. Arborists, who are also known as tree trimmers and pruners, are often consulted for various tree-related issues. Approximately 50,270 tree trimmers and pruners are employed in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Tree trimmers and pruners earned median annual salaries of $49,070 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The bottom 10 percent earned $34,450 a year or less, and the top 10 percent earned $75,870 a year or more. In July 2024, SimplyHired.com reported the average salary for arborists was $49,795.
Entry-level positions, such as grounds workers or trainees, pay about $10 a...
Work Environment
Much of an arborists work is physically demanding, and most of it is done outdoors. Arborists work throughout the year, though their busiest time is in the spring and summer. Tasks done at this time include fertilizing, pruning, and prevention spraying. During the winter months, arborists can expect to care for trees injured or damaged by excess snow, ice storms, or floods.
Equipment suc...
Outlook
Employment of tree trimmers and pruners is expected to grow by 3 percent, about as fast as the average for all careers, through 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The publics increasing interest in the planning and the preservation of the environment has maintained demand for qualified arborists. Towns across the country are planting large numbers of trees to improve the environme...