How much does a tree trimmer make?
a year · about $25 an hour
A typical tree trimmer in the United States makes $50,960 a year, about $25 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A crew checks the site, then a trimmer may climb with ropes or ride a lift to saw off dead or overgrown limbs. Coworkers lower branches, chip or haul the debris, and clean tools outdoors.
Did you know? Some tree trimmers get special training to work near live power lines; untrained workers must stay at least 10 feet away.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $37,940 and $80,310How do you become one?
In the U.S., a high school diploma or GED is common; many start as ground workers or helpers and learn pruning, climbing, equipment, and safety on the job or in an apprenticeship. Near live power lines, special line-clearance training is required.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience, useful credentials, and special skills such as line-clearance work can affect pay. Pay also varies by employer, location, job difficulty, and hours; overtime or shift premiums can change total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Oregon ($75,440), lowest in Texas ($39,880).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,940 | $50,960 | $80,310 | about 55,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $75,440 | about 2,000 |
| Illinois | $64,450 | about 700 |
| Washington | $63,850 | about 700 |
| California | $62,550 | about 10,000 |
| Massachusetts | $62,550 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: 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. Excludes workers who primarily perform duties of “Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers” (37-3011) and “Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation” (37-3012).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes373013.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/37-3013.00
- www.osha.gov/etools/electric-power/overhead-line-work/line-clearance-tree-trimmi
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.cleanenergyexcellence.org/career/tree-trimmer
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY