Tree Trimmer and Pruner Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Tree Trimmers and Pruners in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $60,440 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,282 take-home, or $4,023 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median tree trimmer and pruner salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,073
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,747
- Medicare (1.45%)$876
- California income tax$1,676
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$786
- Take-home pay$48,282
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Tree Trimmer and Pruner pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,750 | $17.19 | $30,021 | $2,502 |
| 25th percentile | $35,750 | $17.19 | $30,021 | $2,502 |
| Median (50th) | $60,440 | $29.06 | $48,282 | $4,023 |
| 75th percentile | $77,330 | $37.18 | $59,252 | $4,938 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,370 | $43.45 | $67,056 | $5,588 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $60,440 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median tree trimmer and pruner's $48,282 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,514 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Los Angeles, CA has 1.4× the national concentration of tree trimmer and pruner jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for tree trimmers and pruners, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #1 of 1 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $60,440 | $48,282 | $42,514 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 1 metros →
About the job: 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.2% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tree trimmer and pruner make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median tree trimmer and pruner salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $60,440 a year, or about $29.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,750 and $77,330.
What is a tree trimmer and pruner’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $60,440 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $48,282 a year ($4,023 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,462 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a tree trimmer and pruner?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $50,960. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,514 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #1 of 1 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a tree trimmer and pruner afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 56% of a median tree trimmer and pruner’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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