Tree Trimmers and Pruners: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Tree Trimmers and Pruners fall under the Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance category in the U.S. occupational classification. Tree Trimmers and Pruners earn a median salary of $50,430 per year, ranking in the top 61% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.3% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do tree trimmers and pruners earn?

The median annual wage for tree trimmers and pruners is $50,430. That puts tree trimmers and pruners at #498 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is tree trimmers and pruners a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for tree trimmers and pruners is +3.3%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 60K positions in 2024 to 62K in 2034, a net change of 2K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do tree trimmers and pruners do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working tree trimmers and pruners, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Operate shredding and chipping equipment, and feed limbs and brush into the machines.
2. 2.Operate boom trucks, loaders, stump chippers, brush chippers, tractors, power saws, trucks, sprayers, and other equipment and tools.
3. 3.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.
4. 4.Inspect trees to determine if they have diseases or pest problems.
5. 5.Provide information to the public regarding trees, such as advice on tree care.
6. 6.Cable, brace, tie, bolt, stake, and guy trees and branches to provide support.
7. 7.Hoist tools and equipment to tree trimmers, and lower branches with ropes or block and tackle.
8. 8.Supervise others engaged in tree trimming work and train lower-level employees.

Top skills for tree trimmers and pruners

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become tree trimmers and pruner?

Many tree trimmers and pruners enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
  $56,170 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
  $47,520 median
• Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
  $45,200 median
• Pest Control Workers
  $44,730 median
• Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other
  $43,410 median
• Building Cleaning Workers, All Other
  $42,360 median

Common questions parents ask about tree trimmers and pruners