Tree Trimmer Salary in the USA

If you are looking for Tree Trimmer Salary in the USA, a Tree Trimmer can make around $50,960 a year at the national median, or about $24.50 per hour based on the latest 2025 wage data for Tree Trimmers and Pruners. The actual Tree Trimmer pay can be lower for new workers and can go much higher for experienced tree climbers, utility tree trimmers, crew leaders and workers in higher paying locations. Many people also search for Tree Trimmer hourly pay, Tree Climber salary, Arborist salary, tree cutting worker salary and how much does a Tree Trimmer make a year. Tree trimming is outdoor and physical work where workers cut dead or extra branches, climb trees, use chainsaws and other tools, operate chippers and sometimes work from bucket trucks. Salary can change a lot by state, experience, employer, type of tree work and the kind of equipment a worker can operate.

Tree Trimmer Salary in the USA

A Tree Trimmer is a worker who takes care of trees by cutting, pruning and removing branches that are dead, damaged, dangerous or growing in the wrong direction. The job can also include cutting branches near roads, sidewalks and utility lines. Some Tree Trimmers work on the ground as part of a crew, while others climb trees or use a bucket truck to reach high branches. Because the work can be physically hard and sometimes done at height, workers need to be careful and follow safety procedures.

According to U.S. wage data for Tree Trimmers and Pruners, the national median wage was $50,960 per year in May 2025. That is equal to about $24.50 an hour. The lower 10 percent of workers earned about $37,940 or less, while the top 10 percent earned about $80,310 or more. The mean annual wage was $55,970. These numbers are useful for understanding the occupation, but a person salary can be different depending on location, experience, company and job duties.

How Much Does a Tree Trimmer Make a Year?

How much a Tree Trimmer makes in a year depends on the type of work and where the worker is employed. A person starting in tree service may begin near the lower part of the wage range, especially when working as a grounds worker or trainee. With more experience, a worker can move into tree climbing, pruning, removal work, utility tree trimming or crew leader jobs.

The national median Tree Trimmer salary is about $50,960 per year. The middle range is around $44,840 to $63,900 a year, based on the 25th and 75th percentiles. Workers in the upper part of the occupation can reach around $80,310 or more at the 90th percentile. This does not mean every experienced Tree Trimmer will earn that amount because wage data includes different locations, employers and types of jobs.

Tree Trimmer Hourly Pay

Tree Trimmer hourly pay is another common search because many tree service companies hire workers by the hour. The national median hourly wage for Tree Trimmers and Pruners is about $24.50. The 10th percentile is around $18.24 per hour and the 90th percentile is about $38.61 per hour.

For example, a worker making $20 per hour and working full time for 40 hours a week would have gross pay of about $41,600 before taxes if the worker gets 52 full weeks of paid work. At $25 per hour, the same simple calculation gives about $52,000 a year. Actual yearly income can be different because tree work can be seasonal, overtime can change total pay and some workers may not work the same number of hours every week.

What Does a Tree Trimmer Do?

Tree trimming is not only cutting branches with a chainsaw. A Tree Trimmer may have many jobs during the day. One worker may be climbing while other crew members stay on the ground, control ropes, operate equipment and clean the work area.

• Cut dead, broken and extra branches from trees.
• Prune trees to improve their shape and growth.
• Remove branches that are close to roads, buildings or utility lines.
• Climb trees using climbing equipment and safety gear.
• Use chainsaws, hand saws, pruners, shears and other cutting tools.
• Operate or work around wood chippers and other tree service equipment.
• Use ropes and rigging equipment to lower branches safely.
• Work from bucket trucks or other lifting equipment when required.
• Load branches, wood and other debris onto trucks.
• Clean, sharpen and maintain tools and equipment.

Tree Climber Salary and Tree Trimmer Pay

A Tree Climber can have different pay from a general Tree Trimmer because climbing is a more specialized part of the work. Tree climbers may spend a large part of the day working inside the tree canopy and handling cutting tools while suspended or positioned at height. Experience, climbing ability, safety training and the type of company can affect the pay.

Not every Tree Trimmer is a professional climber. Some employees mainly work as grounds workers, help the climber, operate equipment, move branches and clean the job site. Other workers learn climbing skills and move into more specialized tree work. This is one reason why the salary range for Tree Trimmers can be quite wide.

Arborist Salary vs Tree Trimmer Salary

The words Arborist and Tree Trimmer are sometimes used together, but they can describe different types of work. A Tree Trimmer and Pruner is mainly connected with pruning, cutting and maintaining trees. An arborist can have a broader role involving tree health, assessment, planning and professional tree care.

Because job titles are not always used in the same way by every company, people should look at the actual duties when comparing an Arborist salary with a Tree Trimmer salary. A job called Tree Trimmer may involve climbing and cutting, while another job with an arborist title may include more tree health or inspection work.

Entry Level Tree Trimmer Salary

An entry level Tree Trimmer normally starts with basic tree service work and learns the job from experienced workers. The worker may begin as a grounds person, laborer or tree service helper. Common early duties include moving branches, feeding brush into a chipper, handling ropes, cleaning equipment and helping the climbing crew.

As the worker gets better at using equipment and learns safe climbing and pruning methods, the pay can increase. Workers who can safely handle chainsaws, climbing equipment, bucket trucks, chippers and more complicated tree removal work may have access to different job opportunities than a new worker.

Tree Trimmer Salary Factors

There is not one fixed Tree Trimmer salary for every worker in the United States. Location is one of the biggest factors, but experience and job type also matter. A Tree Trimmer working for a large tree care company may have a different pay package than someone working for a small local landscaping company.

• Experience: Workers with more tree service experience can qualify for more skilled jobs.
• Climbing skills: Professional tree climbing can lead to specialized positions.
• Location: Tree Trimmer wages are different from one state to another.
• Utility work: Work around power lines can require additional training and safety procedures.
• Equipment skills: Experience with bucket trucks, chippers and other machinery can be useful.
• Employer: Private tree companies, contractors, municipalities and utility-related employers can have different pay structures.
• Overtime: Extra hours can increase yearly gross income when overtime work is available.
• Type of tree work: Pruning, tree removal, storm cleanup and specialized work can have different pay levels.

The national numbers are only the starting point. Tree Trimmer salary can be very different depending on the state and local labor market. The next section looks at Tree Trimmer salary by state so you can see how the pay changes across the United States.

Tree Trimmer Salary by State in the USA

Tree Trimmer salary is not same in every part of the United States. The local demand for tree service, weather, type of trees, cost of living, utility work and employer can all make a difference. Some states have a large tree care industry and many workers, while other states have fewer jobs and the wage data can be less reliable or may not be published for smaller employment levels.

The table below gives a state-by-state view of Tree Trimmers and Pruners pay. The figures are salary benchmarks based on Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 data and current BLS-based state salary datasets. They should be used as a general guide, because actual job offers can be different.

Tree Trimmer Salary in Northeast Region

The Northeast has several states where Tree Trimmer wages are above the national median. New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York can have higher salary levels, although the exact pay depends on the city and employer. For example, BLS-based 2025 data lists New York at about $62,400 median annual pay and New Jersey at about $71,940 in the available state estimates.

Tree Trimmer Salary in Midwest Region

Pay in the Midwest has a wide range. Minnesota and Illinois are among the higher salary areas in the available data, while Nebraska and Iowa are lower. Michigan is another important state for this occupation because it has a relatively large tree trimming workforce. BLS-based 2025 information shows Michigan with a median of about $57,550 and around 1,840 workers in the occupation.

Tree Trimmer Salary in South Region

Southern states can have a lot of tree service work because of large residential areas, storms, fast-growing vegetation and utility maintenance. But salary can still be below the national median in some states. Texas, Alabama and Mississippi are examples where the BLS-based 2025 median is below the national Tree Trimmer median. Alabama's May 2025 state wage data also shows an estimated 1,170 Tree Trimmers and Pruners.

Tree Trimmer Salary in West Region

The West has some of the biggest differences in Tree Trimmer pay. California has one of the largest employment levels in the occupation, with about 9,610 workers in the 2025 BLS-based data. Oregon and Washington also show relatively high wages. Colorado's 2025 median is about $51,390, while Wyoming's state data reports a median around $50,063.

Alaska is shown as not published in this table because the available 2025 state dataset does not provide a reliable published median for this occupation. That does not mean there are no Tree Trimmer jobs in Alaska; it means the wage estimate was not published in the source data.

How Much Does a Tree Trimmer Make by Experience?

Experience can make a big difference in Tree Trimmer pay. A new worker usually starts with basic grounds work and learns tree trimming from an experienced crew. Later, the worker may learn climbing, pruning, chainsaw operation, rigging and equipment operation. These skills can help the worker move into better paying positions.

• Entry-level Tree Trimmer: New workers can start around the lower part of the national wage range, often doing ground work and assisting experienced climbers.
• Early-career Tree Trimmer: After learning basic equipment and tree work, workers can take more independent duties.
• Experienced Tree Trimmer: Skilled workers who can climb, prune and remove trees safely may earn around or above the national median.
• Senior Tree Trimmer: Experienced climbers, crew leaders and workers with specialized equipment skills can reach the upper part of the wage range.
• Utility Tree Trimmer: Workers doing vegetation management around electrical lines can have additional training and specialized job requirements.

Tree Trimmer Salary for Utility Tree Work

Utility tree trimming is one area where the work can become more specialized. These workers may clear branches around power lines and electrical infrastructure. The job needs careful planning because the worker can be dealing with tall trees, heavy branches, traffic, equipment and electrical hazards.

Utility companies and contractors can have different pay structures from normal residential tree service companies. Workers with climbing experience, safety training and the ability to work around utility corridors may find different opportunities than a basic tree service laborer.

Tree Removal Worker Salary

Tree removal is another common job connected with tree trimming. Tree removal workers may cut down complete trees, remove large limbs, lower branches using ropes and rigging, operate chippers and clean the site after the tree is removed.

Tree removal can involve more complicated equipment and higher physical demands than simple pruning. Because of that, employers can look for workers who already understand chainsaw operation, rigging, climbing and job-site safety. Pay is not automatically higher for every tree removal job, but specialized skills can help a worker qualify for higher-paying positions.

Tree Trimmer Pay by Industry

Most Tree Trimmers and Pruners work in tree care and building-related services, but the occupation also exists in utilities, government and other industries. The employer type can change the pay, benefits and overtime opportunities.

• Tree care companies: Residential and commercial tree service is a major source of employment.
• Utility contractors: Workers may trim vegetation around power lines and utility rights-of-way.
• Local government: Cities and municipalities may hire workers for public trees, roads and parks.
• Utility companies: Some tree work is connected with electric power generation, transmission and distribution.
• Landscaping companies: Some companies offer tree trimming as part of larger property maintenance services.
• Self-employment: Experienced workers can operate their own tree service business, where income depends on customers, pricing, equipment costs and business expenses.

BLS data shows that services to buildings and dwellings is a major industry for Tree Trimmers and Pruners. Government and utility-related work also represents part of the occupation.

Tree Trimmer Job Skills That Can Increase Pay

A person does not normally need a four-year college degree to start this career. The occupation commonly uses short-term on-the-job training, and workers learn many skills through practical work. Still, advanced skills can make a worker more useful to an employer.

• Tree climbing and safe climbing techniques
• Chainsaw operation and maintenance
• Pruning and tree removal techniques
• Rope and rigging systems
• Bucket truck operation
• Wood chipper operation
• Stump grinder operation
• Work around utility lines
• Traffic and job-site safety
• Equipment maintenance
• Storm cleanup and emergency tree work
• Communication and crew coordination

These skills do not guarantee a specific salary, but they can help a Tree Trimmer qualify for jobs with more responsibility. O*NET describes the occupation as involving climbing and rigging, power tools, truck-mounted lifts and other equipment used for tree maintenance and removal.

Tree Trimmer Monthly Salary

People also search for Tree Trimmer monthly salary when they want to understand the yearly wage in a more simple way. A national median salary of around $50,960 a year works out to about $4,247 per month before taxes. This is only a simple yearly salary divided by 12 and it does not mean every Tree Trimmer gets the same monthly paycheck.

Monthly income can change because some workers get paid hourly, some work overtime and some tree service work can be seasonal. A worker who has fewer hours in one month can have lower gross pay, while storm cleanup or extra work can increase income in another month.

Tree Trimmer Weekly Pay

At the national median hourly wage of about $24.50, a 40-hour work week would be around $980 in gross regular wages. A full year at that simple rate would be about $50,960 before taxes. Actual weekly pay can be different because working hours, overtime, weather and the employer's schedule can change.

Tree work is also affected by weather. Heavy rain, snow, storms or unsafe conditions can sometimes stop outdoor work. On the other side, major storms can create additional emergency tree removal and cleanup work for some companies.

Do Tree Trimmers Get Benefits?

Benefits depend on the employer. A large tree service company, utility contractor or government employer may offer a different benefits package than a small local company. Salary should therefore not be the only thing a worker checks when comparing jobs.

• Health insurance may be available with some employers.
• Dental and vision insurance can be included in some employment packages.
• Paid vacation and sick time may be offered.
• Retirement plans may be available with larger employers.
• Overtime pay can increase gross income when extra hours are available.
• Some employers provide work clothing, safety equipment or tools.
• Training may be provided for equipment and job-site safety.
• Commercial employers may provide company vehicles for crews.

Tree Trimmer Overtime Pay

Overtime can be an important part of total income for workers who are paid hourly. Tree service companies may need extra workers after storms, during busy seasons or when large removal projects need to be completed. However, overtime is not guaranteed and the amount available depends on the employer and local work demand.

For a worker who is covered by federal overtime rules, hours over 40 in a workweek can generally qualify for overtime at one and one-half times the regular rate, subject to applicable exemptions and laws. State rules can also provide additional requirements. Workers should check their employment agreement and applicable federal and state labor rules rather than assuming every extra hour receives overtime pay.

How to Become a Tree Trimmer

Many people can enter tree trimming without completing a four-year college degree. The occupation commonly uses practical training and on-the-job learning. A new worker may start as a tree service helper or ground worker and learn from experienced employees.

The first stage is normally learning basic safety, equipment handling and job-site procedures. After that, workers can learn pruning, chainsaw use, ropes, climbing and tree removal techniques. Some workers eventually specialize in climbing or utility vegetation management.

• Finish high school or equivalent education when possible.
• Look for entry-level tree service or grounds worker jobs.
• Learn basic tree identification and pruning practices.
• Receive proper training before using chainsaws or climbing equipment.
• Learn rope, rigging and safe branch-lowering methods.
• Build experience with chippers, bucket trucks and other equipment.
• Follow workplace safety rules and use required protective equipment.
• Develop climbing or specialized utility tree work skills if interested.

Tree Trimmer Training and Certification

Training can be especially important because tree trimming involves chainsaws, heavy branches, climbing and equipment. Employers can provide workplace training, while professional organizations and training providers offer additional education in arboriculture and tree care.

Certification requirements can depend on the job. Some positions may not require a professional certification, while specialized arborist or utility vegetation management jobs can have additional requirements. A worker should check the exact requirements listed by the employer before paying for a certification.

Tree Trimmer Career Growth

Tree trimming can become a longer career instead of only an entry-level outdoor job. A worker who learns more skills can take on more responsibility and move into different positions in the tree care industry.

• Tree Service Helper: Helps the crew with ground work and basic job-site duties.
• Ground Worker: Handles branches, ropes, equipment and cleanup while supporting climbers.
• Tree Trimmer: Performs pruning and other tree maintenance work.
• Tree Climber: Specializes in climbing and performing work in the tree canopy.
• Senior Tree Trimmer: Handles more complicated work with greater experience.
• Crew Leader: Helps organize workers, equipment and daily job-site activities.
• Arborist: May move into broader tree-care, inspection and management responsibilities.
• Tree Service Business Owner: Experienced workers can eventually operate their own tree care company.

Self-Employed Tree Trimmer Income

Some experienced Tree Trimmers choose to start their own tree service business. A business owner may charge customers for pruning, tree removal, storm cleanup, stump work and other services. Gross business revenue can be much higher than an employee salary, but it should not be confused with personal income.

A self-employed Tree Trimmer has to pay for equipment, trucks, fuel, insurance, maintenance, employee wages, advertising and other business expenses. Chainsaws, chippers, bucket trucks and other equipment can be expensive. After business expenses and taxes, the owner's personal income can be very different from the amount charged to customers.

Tree Trimmer Salary Compared With Arborist Jobs

Tree Trimmer and arborist jobs can overlap, but they are not always the same position. Tree Trimmers and Pruners are mainly involved in physical tree maintenance, pruning and removal. Some arborist jobs can involve tree assessment, planning, diagnosis, consulting or management in addition to field work.

When comparing these careers, workers should look at the actual job description instead of only the title. One company may use the word arborist for a field tree worker, while another company may use it for a more technical or consulting position.

Tree Trimmer Salary and Cost of Living

A higher salary does not automatically mean higher disposable income. A Tree Trimmer earning more in an expensive city can have different living costs than a worker earning less in a lower-cost area. Housing, transportation, taxes, insurance and everyday expenses can all affect how much money remains after regular costs.

This is why salary by state should be used as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Local city wages can be different from the statewide number, and individual job offers can also vary based on experience and skills.

Is Tree Trimming a Good Career?

Tree trimming is a physically active career for people who are comfortable working outdoors and around trees and equipment. The work can include climbing, lifting, cutting, driving, cleanup and working in changing weather. It can also involve safety risks, so training and correct protective equipment are important parts of the job.

The occupation can provide an entry route into skilled outdoor work without the need for a traditional four-year college degree. Workers who develop climbing, pruning, equipment and crew-management skills can move into more specialized positions over time.

Tree Trimmer Job Outlook

The need for tree care can continue because trees need regular pruning and maintenance in residential areas, commercial properties, parks and public spaces. Storm damage can also create demand for emergency tree removal and cleanup. Employment opportunities, however, are different by state and local area.

Workers should check current local job postings because the number of available jobs and advertised pay can change. BLS employment and wage data provides a national and state-level picture of the occupation, while individual employers provide the actual job offers.

Related Tree Trimmer Salary Searches

People searching for Tree Trimmer salary often use several different keywords because the job can have different titles. These searches can lead to similar information but the exact job duties may not always be the same.

• Tree Trimmer Salary in USA
• Tree Trimmer Salary by State
• Tree Trimmer Hourly Pay
• Tree Trimmer Annual Salary
• How Much Does a Tree Trimmer Make?
• How Much Does a Tree Trimmer Make Per Hour?
• How Much Does a Tree Trimmer Make a Year?
• Tree Climber Salary
• Tree Pruner Salary
• Arborist Salary
• Tree Removal Worker Salary
• Utility Tree Trimmer Salary
• Entry Level Tree Trimmer Salary
• Experienced Tree Trimmer Salary
• Tree Cutting Worker Salary

Tree Trimmer Salary Summary

Tree Trimmer salary in the United States can vary quite a lot by state, experience, employer and type of tree work. The national median for Tree Trimmers and Pruners was about $50,960 per year or $24.50 per hour in May 2025. Workers near the beginning of the occupation can earn closer to the lower end of the wage range, while experienced workers with climbing, equipment, utility or crew leadership skills can reach higher pay levels.

State and local conditions matter too. Some areas have higher wages while others have lower wages, and the cost of living should also be considered when comparing job offers. For someone interested in outdoor skilled work, tree trimming can provide a path from entry-level grounds work into climbing, specialized tree care, crew leadership and other positions.

Before accepting a Tree Trimmer job, it is useful to compare the hourly wage, expected weekly hours, overtime rules, benefits, training, equipment requirements and local cost of living. This gives a more realistic picture of total compensation than looking at the salary number alone.