Arborists are essential to the health of the environment and the safety of our communities. Arborists care for trees and make sure they are healthy and well taken care of, which helps mitigate problems like damage and storm-related Tree Removal Services. So how much money does an arborist make? The answer can vary a lot depending on several factors.
Welcome to the arborist world. What they earn depends on a lot of things: where you live and how long you have been in the industry. If you own your own company or you are just an employee in an established company, your wages, benefits, bonuses and so much more will influence your income.
The demand for arborists and tree services is growing as more people are becoming tree-aware. This means there are more and more commercial arborist firms opening up to handle this increase in demand. More competition and larger corporate firms have helped drive the salaries down over time.
Before we go further to know how much arborists make, let’s know who they are for the sake of those that are hearing the term arborists for the first time.
Who is an arborist?
An arborist, by definition, is an individual trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Hiring an arborist is a decision that should not be taken lightly. This means it takes a whole lot to know how to manage a tree’s health, growth, and structure. Arborists are also required to know about local tree ordinances, the legal issues surrounding trees, and the ways in which different kinds of trees should be maintained.
Now you might be asking, why do I need an arborist, or what are the benefits of hiring an arborist?
Some benefits of hiring an arborist.
- An arborist will be able to accurately assess the health of your trees. A healthy tree can add as much as 10 percent to your home’s value, so it’s important not to neglect your trees.
- An arborist will know how to properly prune your tree or perform other maintenance. Improper pruning can damage a tree or even kill it. An arborist will know how to look for signs of disease or pest infestation that may not be obvious to a homeowner.
- An arborist will know which tree species should be planted near one another and which species conflict with each other — this is important if you’re planting multiple trees in one area.
- An arborist can also help you identify pest problems with your trees and recommend treatment options such as pesticides or removing dead branches that may attract pests.
- Arborists are trained professionals who have undergone extensive training in harvesting woods and managing forests.
I know you might be thinking about how much an individual can make just by cutting trees. Prepare to be wowed!!
Do arborists make much money?
So, do arborists make good money? According to Katherine times, arborist’s in Australia earn up to $61,369 a year which is approximately $26.74 per hour. It is also started in Katherine’s times that a newbie can earn up to $23.44 per hour.
The more experience you keep getting, the more your pay increases. Arborist pay varies depending on what type of arborist you choose to be. Here is some information on average pay rates in the United States according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Tree Trimmer or Pruner: $34,760
Tree Climber: $40,000
Groundsman: $36,960
Arborist: $43,040
Tree Surgeon: $50-60K per year
In May 2017, the median annual wage for arborists was $39,280. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,170, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,640.The median annual wages for arborists in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
State government, excluding education and hospitals: $36,750
Local government, excluding education and hospitals: $35,340
Landscaping services: $32,770
The median income for arborists who work for tree care companies is $40,000 a year as of 2018. The pay range for arborists can vary from $28,000 to $55,000 a year. The amount of money an arborist makes is dependent on several factors including tree care company size and location.
Arborists make more money in the Northeast region of the United States, where salaries average between $50,000 and $65,000 annually. Making more money in this area is due to higher costs of living and doing business in this part of the country.
Although location plays a big part in determining how much an arborist makes, so does the size of their employer. For example, companies with fewer than 100 employees usually don’t offer as many benefits as larger companies that have over 1,000 employees.
This means that salaried professionals at smaller companies may receive less compensation than hourly workers at large companies.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2009, the average annual salary for tree trimmers and pruners was $34,760, or $16.71 per hour. The BLS reports that arborists in the lowest 10 percent of earners made $21,270 per year or less, while those in the top 10 percent earned more than $55,070 per year. Median earnings were $33,580 per year or $16.14 per hour in 2009.
The BLS also reports that the states with the largest employment opportunities for arborists were California and Florida, followed by North Carolina and Texas. The metro area with the highest employment level was Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA — followed by New York-White Plains-Wayne and Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown.
Conclusion
This has been and always will be a very popular question. The answer is yes, they do make a great deal of money. Arborists make good money. Depending on the company you work for, an arborist can make money anywhere there are trees.
When people think of an arborist they generally envision them being a person who climbs trees; and yes, some arborists do this as well. They are called tree trimmers, but by no means do all arborists climb trees.
