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Tree Trimmer or Pruner

What is a Tree Trimmer or Pruner?

Career Description 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.

List of Tree Trimmer or Pruner Job Duties

  • Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment.
  • Remove broken limbs from wires, using hooked extension poles.
  • Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.
  • Spray trees to treat diseased or unhealthy trees, including mixing chemicals and calibrating spray equipment.
  • Water, root-feed, and fertilize trees.
  • Supervise others engaged in tree trimming work and train lower-level employees.

Tree Trimmer or Pruner Skills

When polled, Tree Trimmers and Pruners say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Ground Worker
  • Tree Expert
  • Groundsperson
  • Tree Pruner
  • Pruner

Job Opportunities for Tree Trimmers and Pruners

In the United States, there were 54,500 jobs for Tree Trimmer or Pruner in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,400 new jobs for Tree Trimmer or Pruner by 2026. There will be an estimated 7,500 positions for Tree Trimmer or Pruner per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Tree Trimmer or Pruner are Washington, Florida, and New York. Watch out if you plan on working in Montana, Idaho, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Tree Trimmer or Pruner Salary

The average yearly salary of a Tree Trimmer or Pruner ranges between $24,330 and $61,310.

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Tree Trimmers and Pruners who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Minnesota, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Tree Trimmers and Pruners in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $42,020
Alaska $49,970
Arizona $40,890
Arkansas $33,420
California $48,010
Colorado $34,080
Connecticut $42,410
Delaware $44,530
District of Columbia $60,290
Florida $30,150
Georgia $30,020
Hawaii $48,470
Idaho $42,890
Illinois $49,990
Indiana $37,750
Iowa $40,920
Kansas $41,400
Kentucky $35,230
Louisiana $37,790
Maine $36,630
Maryland $47,120
Massachusetts $46,580
Michigan $37,450
Minnesota $53,820
Mississippi $42,940
Missouri $43,040
Montana $48,240
Nebraska $35,090
Nevada $35,960
New Hampshire $41,710
New Jersey $48,990
New Mexico $40,220
New York $52,170
North Carolina $34,830
North Dakota $42,690
Ohio $39,860
Oklahoma $30,810
Oregon $45,850
Pennsylvania $35,530
Rhode Island $42,280
South Carolina $31,830
South Dakota $37,480
Tennessee $35,390
Texas $32,630
Utah $35,480
Vermont $39,560
Virginia $42,190
Washington $55,860
West Virginia $34,270
Wisconsin $36,640

Tools & Technologies Used by Tree Trimmers and Pruners

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Tree Trimmers and Pruners:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Facebook

How to Become a Tree Trimmer or Pruner

Are there Tree Trimmers and Pruners education requirements?

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What work experience do I need to become a Tree Trimmer or Pruner?

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Where Tree Trimmers and Pruners Work

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those thinking about becoming a Tree Trimmer or Pruner might also be interested in the following careers:

Are you already one of the many Tree Trimmer or Pruner in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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