Tree Trimmers and Pruners
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.
Also called: Arborist, Brush Clearing Laborer, Bucket Operator, Bucket Truck Operator, Climber, Climber Trimmer
Median pay
$50,960
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,940 – $80,310
People employed
55,160
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 2.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Long hours on your feet
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Tree Trimmers and Pruners pay by state
Annual median pay by state (49 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What tree trimmers and pruners do
- 01Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines.
- 02Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.
- 03Cut away dead and excess branches from trees, or clear branches around power lines, using climbing equipment or buckets of extended truck booms, or chainsaws, hooks, handsaws, shears, and clippers.
- 04Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment.
- 05Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
- 06Climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
- Transportation
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from tree trimmers and pruners
- Fallers86% · +2%
- Logging Equipment Operators85% · −2%
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators84% · +17%
- Helpers--Extraction Workers81% · −6%
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas81% · −8%
Change into tree trimmers and pruners
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Fallers86% · $52,100
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners80% · $49,880
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers79% · $40,240
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers78% · $49,450
- Logging Equipment Operators78% · $49,740