Tree Trimmers and Pruners build operation and control, operations monitoring and complex problem solving skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Fallers (86%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fallers | 86% | $52,100 | +2% | None |
| 2 | Logging Equipment Operators | 85% | $49,740 | −2% | None |
| 3 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | 84% | $59,850 | +17% | None |
| 4 | Helpers--Extraction Workers | 81% | $47,730 | −6% | None |
| 5 | Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | 81% | $46,960 | −8% | None |
| 6 | Hoist and Winch Operators | 81% | $56,450 | +11% | None |
| 7 | Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | 80% | $49,880 | −2% | None |
| 8 | Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | 80% | $60,190 | +18% | None |
| 9 | Construction Laborers | 78% | $47,120 | −8% | None |
| 10 | Highway Maintenance Workers | 78% | $50,260 | −1% | None |
Compared with Tree Trimmers and Pruners, median $50,960. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as tree trimmers and pruners (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
86% skill match · $52,100 · +2% pay
Operations Analysis · Repairing · Judgment and Decision Making
85% skill match · $49,740 · −2% pay
Repairing · Equipment Maintenance · Quality Control Analysis
84% skill match · $59,850 · +17% pay
Repairing · Equipment Maintenance · Operations Analysis
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Fallers (86% skill match, median $52,100), Logging Equipment Operators (85% skill match, median $49,740) and Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (84% skill match, median $59,850), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 12 pay more than tree trimmers and pruners at the median. The biggest increases: Locomotive Engineers (+60%, $81,410), Roof Bolters, Mining (+54%, $78,540) and Riggers (+23%, $62,640).
25 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.