All About Tree Trimmers and Pruners
Tree Trimmer or Pruner Example 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
- Remove broken limbs from wires, using hooked extension poles.
- Collect debris and refuse from tree trimming and removal operations into piles, using shovels, rakes, or other tools.
- Cable, brace, tie, bolt, stake, and guy trees and branches to provide support.
- Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
- Load debris and refuse onto trucks and haul it away for disposal.
- Water, root-feed, and fertilize trees.
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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.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Groundsperson
- Plant Health Care Technician
- Trimmer
- Tanbark Laborer
- Tree Pruner
Tree Trimmer or Pruner Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 54,500 jobs in the United States for Tree Trimmer or Pruner. 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.

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.
Do Tree Trimmers and Pruners Make A Lot Of Money?
Tree Trimmers and Pruners make between $24,330 and $61,310 a year.

Tree Trimmers and Pruners who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Minnesota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Tree Trimmers and Pruners make 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 |
What Tools do Tree Trimmers and Pruners Use?
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
How to Become a Tree Trimmer or Pruner
Education needed to be a Tree Trimmer or Pruner:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Tree Trimmer or Pruner?

Where Tree Trimmers and Pruners Work

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

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Tree Trimmer or Pruner might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Tree Trimmer or Pruner sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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