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.
Tree Trimmers and Pruners
SOC: 37-3013 O*NET: 37-3013.00
Median Salary
$50,430
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Tree Trimmers and Pruners do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,660
10th percentile
Early Career
$43,690
25th percentile
Median
$50,430
50th percentile
Experienced
$63,130
75th percentile
Top Earners
$78,900
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,660
25th
$43,690
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$50,430
Mean: $54,970
75th
$63,130
90th
$78,900
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $41,240 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $43,690 and $63,130
- •Salary spread is 38.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 47,870 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:60,100
Top Industries
Administrative and Support Services89.8%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services89.8%
Services to Buildings and Dwellings89%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.3%
Annual Openings:7,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)60,100
Current
2034 (Projected)62,100
+3.3%
+2,000
Employment Change
+3.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Tree Trimmers and Pruners professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
8,620 jobs$62,8801.54x
Pennsylvania
2,550 jobs$49,2801.37x
New York
2,520 jobs$62,1800.85x
Texas
2,400 jobs$40,0300.56x
Florida
1,950 jobs$49,4900.64x
Michigan
1,890 jobs$48,0701.39x
New Jersey
1,540 jobs$61,6601.17x
West Virginia
1,350 jobs$47,9606.21x
Ohio
1,310 jobs$47,8000.76x
North Carolina
1,240 jobs$44,7400.81x
Tennessee
1,200 jobs$45,8901.18x
Oregon
1,180 jobs$63,2901.94x
Alabama
1,170 jobs$39,6001.80x
Wisconsin
1,110 jobs$48,5101.22x
Illinois
1,090 jobs$64,5500.58x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
92%
#3
Critical Thinking
82%
#4
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#5
Monitoring
66%
#6
Speaking
58%
#7
Coordination
48%
#8
Instructing
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.6
92%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.1
82%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
basic2.9
58%
Coordination
basic2.4
48%
Instructing
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas80%
5 shared skills
Conveyor Operators and Tenders67%
5 shared skills
Highway Maintenance Workers67%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels64%
5 shared skills
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters64%
5 shared skills
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic64%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Tree Trimmers and Pruners
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (2)Operations & Execution (2)General Responsibilities (15)Planning & Development (2)
1
Supervise others engaged in tree trimming work and train lower-level employees.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision100% perform100%
2
Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Climb trees, using climbing hooks and belts, or climb ladders to gain access to work areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Clean, sharpen, and lubricate tools and equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes or to remove low-hanging branches.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Prune, cut down, fertilize, and spray trees as directed by tree surgeons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution76% perform84%
10
Load debris and refuse onto trucks and haul it away for disposal.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Tree Trimmers and Pruners
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Tree Trimmers and Pruners professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Tree Trimmers and Pruners
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.19
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.18
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.12
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.06
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.01
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.99
Complete Work Styles Profile
Cooperation
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.2
Concern for Others
4.1
Dependability
4.1
Self-Control
4.0
Integrity
4.0
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Leadership
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.6
Persistence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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