Tree Trimmers and Pruners
SOC code 37-3013 · O*NET-SOC 37-3013.00 · Little to some preparation needed
Tree Trimmers and Pruners pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$50,960
a year
Hourly
$24.50
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$55,970
$26.91 per hour
Middle 50%
$44,840 – $63,900
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$37,940 – $80,310
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
55,160
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $37,940
- $18.24/hr
- 25th percentile
- $44,840
- $21.56/hr
- Median percentile
- $50,960
- $24.50/hr
- 75th percentile
- $63,900
- $30.72/hr
- 90th percentile
- $80,310
- $38.61/hr
What do tree trimmers and pruners do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines.
- Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.
- Cut 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.
- Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment.
- Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
- Climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas.
- Supervise others engaged in tree trimming work and train lower-level employees.
- Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes or to remove low-hanging branches.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 57% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Less than a High School Diploma57%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)37%
- Some College Courses4%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2%
Common questions
How much does a tree trimmers and pruners earn?
The national median is $50,960 a year. The full range runs from $37,940 at the 10th percentile to $80,310 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a tree trimmers and pruners without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Active Listening2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- Mechanical3.3/5
- Public Safety and Security2.9/5
- Production and Processing2.8/5
- Transportation2.7/5
- Education and Training2.7/5
- English Language2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Instructing, Service Orientation.