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.

How to read this profile

BLS projects U.S. employment for Tree Trimmers and Pruners to increase by 4.2% between 2024 and 2034, from 70,600 to 73,600 jobs. Its estimate of 7,900 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($50,960), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.

Base employment (2024)

70,600

Projected employment (2034)

73,600

Projected change (2024–2034)

4%

Annual openings (projected average)

7,900

Pay & Preparation
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$50,960

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Short-term on-the-job training

Essential Skills

Operation and Control (3.75/5) • Operations Monitoring (3.62/5) • Critical Thinking (3.25/5) • Complex Problem Solving (3.12/5) • Monitoring (3.12/5) • Instructing (3/5)

O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.

BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.

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