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Arborist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$50,960median pay per year, or $24.50 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $37,940lowest 10% earn less
  2. $44,84025th percentile
  3. $50,960median
  4. $63,90075th percentile
  5. $80,310top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

The median pay for tree trimmers and pruners, the BLS category that covers arborist work, was $50,960 a year, almost the same as the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. Jobs are projected to grow slightly faster than average[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+4.2%[3]
Openings per year
7,900[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do arborists make?

BLS counts this work as Tree Trimmers and Pruners. In May 2025 the median wage was $50,960 a year, or $24.50 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was higher, at $55,970 a year, or $26.91 an hour[8].

All occupations together had a median of $50,980, so this job sits right at the national middle[2].

Here is how pay spread out across the job:

Point Annual Hourly
Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[5][9] $37,940 $18.24
Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[5][9] $44,840 $21.56
Median[1] $50,960 $24.50
Highest-paid 25% earned more than[5][9] $63,900 $30.72
Highest-paid 10% earned more than[5][9] $80,310 $38.61

A percentile is a cut-off point, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[10]. These figures cover wage and salary jobs only. They leave out self-employed people, and they do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance[11]. That matters here, because 24.4% of tree trimmers and pruners were self-employed in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Minnesota had the top state median at $77,460 a year, followed by Oregon at $75,440 and New Jersey at $71,940[13]. Nebraska had the lowest listed median at $39,380[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[14], San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA came first at $75,980. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA was next at $75,570, then Syracuse, NY at $75,140[14].

For job counts, California had the most with 9,610, then Texas with 4,460 and New York with 3,750[15]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had the most jobs of any metro area at 3,150[16].

Show median pay in 49 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Minnesota[13]$77,460n/a
Oregon$75,4401,610
New Jersey$71,940n/a
Illinois$64,450700
Washington$63,850700
California$62,5509,610
Massachusetts$62,5502,090
New York$62,4003,750
Vermont$62,170430
Missouri$61,140970
Rhode Island$61,040110
New Hampshire$59,660330
Montana$59,580230
Pennsylvania$58,2003,160
Wisconsin$57,9301,190
Michigan$57,5501,840
Hawaii$56,990170
Utah$56,890200
Colorado$51,3901,200
Nevada$51,210190
Arizona$50,680n/a
South Dakota$50,430270
Ohio$49,6501,460
Delaware$49,330n/a
West Virginia$49,1401,420
Connecticut$48,930360
Virginia$48,5501,070
North Carolina$48,4801,560
Kansas$48,400390
Louisiana$47,350120
Tennessee$47,350710
New Mexico$47,330n/a
Maryland$47,210730
Oklahoma$46,950860
Georgia$46,9101,030
Maine$46,430n/a
Wyoming$46,210n/a
Florida$46,0702,770
Indiana$46,0501,850
Arkansas$45,650290
North Dakota$44,820n/a
Kentucky$44,4101,020
Idaho$43,840n/a
South Carolina$43,660430
Iowa$42,890380
Mississippi$41,560260
Alabama$41,500890
Texas$39,8804,460
Nebraska$39,380n/a

How to become an arborist

The facts describe a short path in:

Some employers add classes in topics such as tree climbing, urban forestry or insect and disease diagnosis[17]. People who want to study ahead of time may look at horticulture or arboriculture[19].

In an O*NET survey of 21 workers, 57% said they needed less than a high school diploma and 37% said a high school diploma or equivalent[20].

Licenses depend on the tasks. In the wider group, most states require a license to apply pesticides, and rules for fertilizer vary by state[21][18]. Professional certification is not required, but it can show clients and employers that a worker is reliable[22]. Workers who apply pesticides may need extra training lasting up to a year[17].

Experienced workers can become crew leaders or supervisors. Some start their own business[23].

What arborists do

O*NET describes the job as climbing and rigging to cut dead or extra branches from trees and shrubs. The goals include clearing space near roads, sidewalks and utilities and improving a tree's look and health[24]. Typical tasks include:

Job titles that workers report include Arborist, Tree Climber, Tree Trimmer and Plant Health Care Technician[26].

Where they work

The wider grounds maintenance profile says the work is mostly outdoors in all kinds of weather, and it can be repetitive and physically demanding[27][18]. It can also be dangerous. Fatalities are uncommon, but this group has one of the highest fatality rates of all occupations[28]. Workers may be high off the ground and use fall protection, hardhats and goggles[28]. People using chain saws wear protective clothing, eyewear and earplugs[29].

BLS says the work calls for comfort at heights, strength, stamina and good hand and foot coordination[30][31][32][33].

Most workers in the wider group are full time. Hours vary, with busier stretches in spring, summer and fall[34]. Some jobs are seasonal, and some workers take on other work such as snow removal in winter[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of tree trimmers and pruners to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 70,600 to 73,600 jobs[3]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[4]. These counts include self-employed workers[3]. The OEWS count of 55,160 jobs covers wage and salary jobs only[36].

BLS expects about 7,900 openings a year on average[6]. Openings come from new jobs and also from workers who leave. Each year, 3% of workers leave the labor force and 7.6% move to a different occupation[37].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with a low barrier to entry. It needs a high school diploma or equivalent and short on-the-job training[7]. Pay is near the national middle, with a wide range from $37,940 at the 10th percentile to $80,310 at the 90th[5][2]. Pay differs a lot by state[13]. The work is outdoors, physical and carries real risk at heights[27][28]. Growth is modest, a little above the all-occupation rate[3][4].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an arborist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for tree trimmers and pruners was $24.50 in May 2025[1]. The average was $26.91[8].
What education do you need to be an arborist?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with no related work experience[7].
How long does it take to become an arborist?
BLS lists short-term on-the-job training[7]. The wider grounds maintenance profile says 1 month or less is typical, and pesticide handlers may need up to 1 year[17][18].
What is the highest paying state for arborists?
Minnesota had the top median at $77,460 a year, then Oregon at $75,440[13].
Is arborist work in demand?
BLS projects 4.2% growth from 2025 to 2035 against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 7,900 openings a year[3][4][6].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Tree Trimmers and Pruners in the US was $50,960 per year and $24.50 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Tree Trimmers and Pruners is projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 70,600 to 73,600 jobs (a change of +3,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Tree Trimmers and Pruners: 10th percentile $37,940, 25th percentile $44,840, 75th percentile $63,900, 90th percentile $80,310. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 7,900 openings for Tree Trimmers and Pruners are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Tree Trimmers and Pruners: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Tree Trimmers and Pruners was $55,970 per year and $26.91 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Tree Trimmers and Pruners: 10th percentile $18.24, 25th percentile $21.56, 75th percentile $30.72, 90th percentile $38.61. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 24.4% of Tree Trimmers and Pruners were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Tree Trimmers and Pruners in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Tree Trimmers and Pruners (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,980; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $75,570; Syracuse, NY $75,140; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $73,570; Salem, OR $71,190; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $68,110; Kingston, NY $66,160; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $64,260. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Tree Trimmers and Pruners jobs: California 9,610; Texas 4,460; New York 3,750; Pennsylvania 3,160; Florida 2,770. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Tree Trimmers and Pruners jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 3,150 (median $60,440); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 2,120 (median $39,660); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,580 (median $62,940); Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA 1,270 (median $60,260); Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 1,160 (median $75,570); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 1,060 (median $62,780). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Grounds Maintenance Workers" covers Tree Trimmers and Pruners together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET 37-3013.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: Less than a High School Diploma 57%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 37% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Tree Trimmers and Pruners. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Tree Trimmers and Pruners. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET 37-3013.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Arborist, Climber, Grounds Worker, Groundsman, Laborer, Plant Health Care Technician, Tree Climber, Tree Trimmer. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 55,160 people were employed as Tree Trimmers and Pruners in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Tree Trimmers and Pruners: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 7.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.