Tree Trimmer and Pruner Salary
Tree Trimmers and Pruners earn a median $50,960 a year nationally. Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
What 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.
- 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)
- Openings per year
- 7,900
- Self-employed
- 24%
Employment of tree trimmers and pruners is projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Tree Trimmer and Pruner take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,935
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,160
- Medicare (1.45%)$739
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$43,126
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,940 | $18.24 | $32,665 |
| 25th percentile | $44,840 | $21.56 | $38,209 |
| Median (50th) | $50,960 | $24.50 | $43,126 |
| 75th percentile | $63,900 | $30.72 | $53,524 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,310 | $38.61 | $65,328 |
Best cities for tree trimmers and pruners (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $60,440 | $48,282 | $42,514 | 3,150 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $60,440
Tree Trimmer and Pruner salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $77,460 | +13.9% | $59,579 | $63,580 – $77,460 | — |
| Oregon | $75,440 | +19.2% | $56,131 | $51,220 – $94,470 | 1,610 |
| New Jersey | $71,940 | +16.7% | $57,013 | $52,830 – $80,730 | — |
| Illinois | $64,450 | −0.2% | $50,920 | $50,300 – $90,840 | 700 |
| Washington | $63,850 | +3.4% | $53,483 | $44,530 – $93,620 | 700 |
| California | $62,550 | −0.5% | $49,823 | $35,750 – $92,270 | 9,610 |
| Massachusetts | $62,550 | +4.0% | $49,531 | $49,020 – $80,910 | 2,090 |
| New York | $62,400 | +0.4% | $49,546 | $41,600 – $83,700 | 3,750 |
| Vermont | $62,170 | +3.1% | $50,485 | $48,340 – $72,950 | 430 |
| Missouri | $61,140 | +30.5% | $49,370 | $37,560 – $70,950 | 970 |
| Rhode Island | $61,040 | −5.0% | $49,554 | $59,880 – $71,170 | 110 |
| New Hampshire | $59,660 | +3.2% | $50,117 | $47,320 – $63,000 | 330 |
| Montana | $59,580 | +19.5% | $48,009 | $46,950 – $69,760 | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,200 | +18.1% | $47,157 | $46,800 – $75,750 | 3,160 |
| Wisconsin | $57,930 | +19.4% | $46,959 | $45,880 – $77,250 | 1,190 |
| Michigan | $57,550 | +19.7% | $46,226 | $45,500 – $66,880 | 1,840 |
| Hawaii | $56,990 | −5.9% | $45,170 | $46,310 – $77,160 | 170 |
| Utah | $56,890 | +5.5% | $46,297 | $52,070 – $71,260 | 200 |
| Colorado | $51,390 | +2.9% | $41,919 | $47,600 – $61,660 | 1,200 |
| Nevada | $51,210 | +3.1% | $43,327 | $39,850 – $62,940 | 190 |
| Arizona | $50,680 | +8.6% | $41,843 | $37,510 – $59,360 | — |
| South Dakota | $50,430 | +2.0% | $42,701 | $40,040 – $70,650 | 270 |
| Ohio | $49,650 | +3.9% | $41,491 | $44,990 – $57,450 | 1,460 |
| Delaware | $49,330 | — | $39,756 | $47,950 – $78,580 | — |
| West Virginia | $49,140 | +2.5% | $40,181 | $36,350 – $57,260 | 1,420 |
| Connecticut | $48,930 | +3.4% | $40,218 | $37,670 – $78,720 | 360 |
| Virginia | $48,550 | −1.1% | $39,212 | $38,930 – $59,350 | 1,070 |
| North Carolina | $48,480 | +8.4% | $39,708 | $36,130 – $62,600 | 1,560 |
| Kansas | $48,400 | +8.4% | $39,168 | $39,050 – $62,190 | 390 |
| Louisiana | $47,350 | +21.6% | $39,191 | $33,400 – $62,360 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $47,350 | +3.2% | $40,226 | $38,060 – $61,480 | 710 |
| New Mexico | $47,330 | −6.6% | $39,142 | $45,070 – $62,740 | — |
| Maryland | $47,210 | +3.3% | $38,234 | $39,310 – $64,110 | 730 |
| Oklahoma | $46,950 | +5.5% | $38,337 | $38,110 – $56,170 | 860 |
| Georgia | $46,910 | +12.4% | $38,060 | $26,210 – $62,230 | 1,030 |
| Maine | $46,430 | −19.7% | $37,534 | $40,070 – $84,350 | — |
| Wyoming | $46,210 | −5.1% | $39,310 | $28,270 – $74,050 | — |
| Florida | $46,070 | −6.9% | $39,197 | $28,690 – $58,210 | 2,770 |
| Indiana | $46,050 | −0.5% | $37,852 | $37,900 – $58,910 | 1,850 |
| Arkansas | $45,650 | +20.7% | $37,292 | $28,950 – $67,920 | 290 |
| North Dakota | $44,820 | −13.0% | $38,193 | $32,010 – $59,760 | — |
| Kentucky | $44,410 | +11.5% | $36,427 | $26,890 – $57,440 | 1,020 |
| Idaho | $43,840 | +5.1% | $36,190 | $41,080 – $56,560 | — |
| South Carolina | $43,660 | −9.5% | $35,798 | $29,960 – $60,610 | 430 |
| Iowa | $42,890 | +3.8% | $35,664 | $20,440 – $68,530 | 380 |
| Mississippi | $41,560 | −10.9% | $34,643 | $35,650 – $60,520 | 260 |
| Alabama | $41,500 | +4.8% | $33,715 | $33,350 – $57,390 | 890 |
| Texas | $39,880 | −0.4% | $34,224 | $35,610 – $49,220 | 4,460 |
| Nebraska | $39,380 | +5.8% | $32,910 | $37,130 – $60,890 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other | $46,860 | No formal educational credential | +3.7% |
| Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation | $46,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker | $39,150 | No formal educational credential | +4.7% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers | $49,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.2% |
| Pest Control Worker | $45,250 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.5% |
| Building Cleaning Workers, All Other | $44,040 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $58,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $36,840 | No formal educational credential | +2.2% |
| Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner | $35,510 | No formal educational credential | +0.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tree trimmer and pruner make?
The national median salary for tree trimmers and pruners is $50,960 a year ($24.50 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,940 and the top 10% earn over $80,310. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays tree trimmers and pruners the most?
Minnesota has the highest median pay at $77,460. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many tree trimmers and pruners are there in the U.S.?
About 55,160 people work as tree trimmers and pruners nationwide.