Prunes and removes trees near energized power lines to keep the electric grid clear, safe and reliable. BLS does not publish separate figures for tree trimmers and pruners; it counts them within tree trimmer and pruner (SOC 37-3013), whose median pay is $50,960 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 37-3013
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Utility Line Clearance Arborist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $50,960a year, or $24.50/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $38KTop 10% $80K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.2%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 7,90070,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202570.6K
- Projected 203573.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 70.6K Projected 2035 73.6K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school56.8%
- High school37.1%
- Certificate2.2%
- Some college3.8%
Highest education held by tree trimmers and pruners Segment Value Less than high school 56.8% High school 37.1% Certificate 2.2% Some college 3.8%
Also advertised as: Line Clearance Tree Trimmer, Utility Arborist, Line Clearance Arborist, Utility Forester, Vegetation Management Specialist.
Pay
How much do Tree Trimmers and Pruners make?
Every utility line clearance arborist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$50,960
Middle half earn $44,840 to $63,900
- 10th
- $37,940
- 25th
- $44,840
- 75th
- $63,900
- 90th
- $80,310
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,940 |
| 25th | $44,840 |
| Median | $50,960 |
| 75th | $63,900 |
| 90th | $80,310 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $50,960
- Median hourly wage
- $24.50/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $55,970
- People employed
- 55,160
Versus all US occupations
At $50,960, the median for Tree Trimmers and Pruners sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations
Inside the Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance group, where the middle occupation pays $46,340, this is 10% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $80,310 or more while the bottom 10% earn $37,940, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 23% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Minnesota pays the most at $77,460, and still leads at $78,543 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Tree Trimmers and Pruners the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Minnesota | $77,460 | $78,543 | N/A |
| 2Oregon | $75,440 | $72,987 | 1,610 |
| 3New Jersey | $71,940 | $66,118 | N/A |
| 4Illinois | $64,450 | $64,477 | 700 |
| 5Washington | $63,850 | $59,666 | 700 |
| 6California | $62,550 | $56,494 | 9,610 |
| 7Massachusetts | $62,550 | $59,145 | 2,090 |
| 8New York | $62,400 | $57,820 | 3,750 |
| 9Vermont | $62,170 | $63,466 | 430 |
| 10Missouri | $61,140 | $67,322 | 970 |
Job outlook
Is Utility Line Clearance Arborist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +4.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Tree Trimmers and Pruners | +4.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Tree Trimmers and Pruners to change 4.2% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 3,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 7,900 openings are projected each year, 11.2% of the 70,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become an Utility Line Clearance Arborist
Most line clearance arborists start as ground workers with a utility tree contractor and are trained to climb and work near lines. OSHA's 1910.269 standard requires that workers be trained and qualified for line clearance tree trimming, and employers provide that training along with aerial rescue and electrical hazard instruction.
The International Society of Arboriculture offers the Certified Arborist credential and the Utility Specialist certification for professionals in utility arboriculture and vegetation management. A commercial driver's license and pesticide applicator license are often required. Experienced trimmers can move into foreman, general foreman or utility forester roles.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as tree trimmers and pruners.
- Less than a High School Diploma56.8%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)37.1%
- Some College Courses3.8%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 56.8% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 37.1% |
| Some College Courses | 3.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Utility Line Clearance Arborist do?
Utility line clearance arborists trim and remove trees that grow toward energized power lines. Falling limbs and contact with trees cause many power outages and can start wildfires, so utilities run vegetation management programs and hire specialized tree crews to maintain clearance along distribution and transmission lines.
Crews climb trees or work from insulated aerial lifts, using hand and power tools to prune around lines while staying outside minimum approach distances. They also remove hazard trees, clear rights-of-way with heavy equipment, apply herbicides, and respond after storms to clear trees from downed lines so lineworkers can restore power. Utility arborists in planning roles patrol lines and decide what work is needed.
Day-to-day tasks
- Prune trees away from energized power lines
- Climb trees or operate insulated aerial lifts
- Maintain minimum approach distances to energized conductors
- Remove hazard trees that threaten lines
- Clear rights-of-way with mowers and other equipment
- Respond to storms to clear trees from downed lines
- Apply herbicides as part of vegetation management
- Perform aerial rescue drills and job briefings
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
This work is outdoors in all weather, along roadsides, backyards and rights-of-way. It is physically demanding and hazardous because of heights, chainsaws and nearby energized lines. Storm response can mean long shifts and travel to other regions with little notice.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Active Listening2.9
- Reading Comprehension2.6
- Active Learning2.6
- Writing2.5
- Learning Strategies2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.6 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
| Writing | 2.5 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operation and Control3.8
- Operations Monitoring3.6
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Instructing3.0
- Service Orientation2.9
- Equipment Selection2.9
- Equipment Maintenance2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.8 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 2.9 |
| Equipment Selection | 2.9 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Utility Line Clearance Arborist?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RCI) built on O*NET's Tree Trimmer and Pruner profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Utility Line Clearance Arborist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.1
- Investigative3.2
- Social1.8
- Enterprising1.2
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Utility Line Clearance Arborist
O*NET related occupations
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
- Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker
$39,150median a year
Most earn $31K to $57K
+4.7%No formal credential - Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
Pesticide Handler, Sprayer, and Applicator, Vegetation
$46,340median a year
Most earn $36K to $61K
+3.9%High school - Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Farmworker and Laborer, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
$35,660median a year
Most earn $33K to $46K
−2.4%No formal credential
More building and grounds cleaning and maintenance careers
Median annual pay, with tree trimmers and pruners highlighted
- First-Line Supervisor of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$58,430
- Sports Turf Manager$58,430
- Tree Trimmer and Pruner$50,960
- Consulting Arborist$50,960
- Utility Line Clearance Arborist$50,960
- First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$49,100
- Pest Control Worker$45,250
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker$39,150
- Janitor and Cleaner, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,840
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisor of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $58,430 |
| Sports Turf Manager | $58,430 |
| Tree Trimmer and Pruner | $50,960 |
| Consulting Arborist | $50,960 |
| Utility Line Clearance Arborist | $50,960 |
| First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers | $49,100 |
| Pest Control Worker | $45,250 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker | $39,150 |
| Janitor and Cleaner, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $36,840 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Utility Line Clearance Arborist appears on
Questions
Utility Line Clearance Arborist: frequently asked questions
How much do Tree Trimmers and Pruners make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for tree trimmers and pruners. It counts them within tree trimmer and pruner, whose median pay is $50,960 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $44,840 and $63,900, and the top 10% earn $80,310 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Utility Line Clearance Arborist?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Tree Trimmers and Pruners. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 56.8% hold less than a high school diploma.
Is Utility Line Clearance Arborist a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 4.2% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 7,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Utility Line Clearance Arborist do?
Utility line clearance arborists trim and remove trees that grow toward energized power lines. A typical task: prune trees away from energized power lines. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Spreadsheet software, Web page creation and editing software.
Which states pay Tree Trimmers and Pruners the most?
The highest state medians for Tree Trimmers and Pruners are Minnesota ($77,460), Oregon ($75,440), New Jersey ($71,940) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Utility Line Clearance Arborist?
O*NET scores Tree Trimmers and Pruners highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.