How Much Do Tree Trimmers Make? 2026 Salary Guide

Breakdown of tree trimming salaries

Across the United States, tree trimmers earn a wide range depending on skill level, job role, and region. Pay for entry-level workers and grounds crew falls in line with other landscaping and outdoor labor roles, while experienced climbers and specialized arborists have the potential to earn more.

Thinking about climbing your way to the top of the industry? Below, we’ll break down average pay by year, month, week, and hour so you know what to expect:

Tree trimming salaries by state

As a tree trimmer, your work location always factors into earning potential.

Dense residential areas or older neighborhoods with heavy tree coverage often provide consistent, higher-paying work and less travel between job sites. In more rural or coastal areas, competition and overhead costs can be less expensive, but demand is sometimes less.

Here’s a look at the average hourly and annual salaries across the United States:

Factors that impact a tree trimmer salary

Tree trimmer pay can vary widely, even within the same city. That’s because earnings depend not just on where you work, but on your skills, the type of contracts you take on (one time or recurring), and how efficiently the work gets done.

Here are the biggest factors that influence how much a tree trimmer earns:

• Skill level and experience: As tree trimmers gain experience, they typically command higher rates. Experienced workers can usually work faster, safer, and on more complex jobs.
• Job title and certifications: Roles such as climbing arborist or utility arborist (and certifications like being an ISA certified arborist) often lead to higher pay. This is because these roles require advanced training and specialization, such as tree work near power lines.
• Climbing ability: Tree climbers usually earn more than ground crew since the climbing career path requires additional skill, training, and risk.
• Equipment knowledge: In most roles, you’ll need to use basic tools like rope, handsaws, hand pruners, and clippers. But knowing how to safely operate advanced tree trimming equipment like chainsaws, truck mounted lifts, chippers, or skid steers can increase your value and lead to higher pay.
• Type of work: Tree removal and large or complex jobs often pay more than routine tasks like trimming branches or pruning shrubs.
• Risk level: Jobs that involve greater height, tighter spaces, or storm damage may come with higher wages to account for the added risk.
• Employer type: Utility contractors and larger tree service companies may offer different pay structures than small, local crews.

Tree trimmer job benefits

For many people, tree trimming offers more than just a basic wage. The work can come with added financial freedom, flexibility, and day-to-day variety that appeal to people who prefer hands-on, outdoor jobs.

Common benefits of tree trimming work include:

• Overtime and hazard pay: Longer days, high-risk jobs, and after-hours work can increase take-home pay beyond a standard hourly rate.
• Health, dental, and retirement benefits: Tree trimmers employed by larger companies or utility contractors may receive benefits such as health or dental insurance, 401(k) plans, paid vacation, and sick time.
• Storm response and emergency work: Severe weather often creates urgency, giving tree trimmers opportunities to earn extra cash during peak periods.
• Workers’ compensation and safety protections: Most tree service companies carry workers’ compensation coverage or backup insurance policies. These are especially important in a physically demanding trade.
• Variety in day-to-day work: No two jobs are exactly the same, and many tree trimmers enjoy working outdoors and tackling different types of projects.

Even with these benefits, successful tree trimmers always take training, protective gear, and safe work practices seriously to protect themselves and their crews.

How much do tree service business owners make?

Tree service business owners can earn anywhere from $50,000 to over $500,000 per year depending on factors like location, crew size, and services.

Real-world earnings vary widely based on how the business is set up and how consistently you book work. Here are a few common scenarios:

• Side income: Some owners run a small, owner-operator business part time. This can bring in a few hundred dollars per week through select trimming or removal jobs. One tree climber on r/TreeClimbing earns $350-$700 a day as a contract worker who pays individual insurance.
• Full-time owner-operator: Many full-time tree service owners earn a steady annual income by booking regular residential work, maintenance contracts, and seasonal jobs.
• Large-scale operations: Owners who grow a team and take on higher-volume or commercial work can earn significantly more, though expenses and payroll also increase.

Starting a tree service business can open the door to higher earning potential, but it also comes with added responsibility. Owner income depends on factors like job volume, pricing, crew efficiency, equipment upkeep, and the ability to consistently deliver quality work that brings customers back.

Earning factors for tree trimming businesses

Tree trimming business income depends on more than skills. These factors influence also how much a company earns:

• Pricing model: Some tree trimmers are paid hourly, while others work per job or per production, which can affect overall earnings.
• Crew size and efficiency: Well-coordinated crews that complete jobs efficiently can often take on more work and earn more over time.
• Equipment investment and upkeep: Reliable, well-maintained equipment helps reduce downtime and improve productivity.
• Mix of services: Offering a combination of removals, pruning, and maintenance work can help keep income steadier throughout the year.
• Seasonal demand and storms: Busy seasons and storm cleanup can significantly boost earnings, while slower months may reduce them.
• Scheduling and estimating: Accurate quotes and organized scheduling help reduce gaps between jobs and keep work flowing.

Here’s what to keep in mind as you build your tree trimming business and set yourself up for success:

• More demand usually means more work: Areas with lots of trees and regular maintenance needs tend to offer steadier jobs, but there could be more competition.
• Professional quotes attract work: Clear estimates and quick follow-up can help you book more jobs with residential clients and commercial customers alike.
• Staying organized matters: Planning your days and grouping nearby jobs can make a big difference in how much you earn.