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Arborist vs ground worker

The differences between arborists and ground workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an arborist and a ground worker. Additionally, an arborist has an average salary of $41,881, which is higher than the $29,875 average annual salary of a ground worker.

The top three skills for an arborist include CDL, hand tools and CPR. The most important skills for a ground worker are mowing, GRASS, and hand tools.

Arborist vs ground worker overview

ArboristGround Worker
Yearly salary$41,881$29,875
Hourly rate$20.14$14.36
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs4,04033,720
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

What does an arborist do?

An arborist is responsible for studying the tree structures and cultivating it for its growth and development as part of environmental conservation efforts. Arborists conduct regular pruning and fertilization, keeping the trees away from parasites and other harmful substances. They also operate various tools and equipment for efficiency and accurate processing. An arborist coordinates with environmental and community organizations to keep the trees' healthy condition, as well as recommending activities that would help in sustaining efforts, such as planting and growing trees across the desired location.

What does a ground worker do?

Groundworkers are part of the construction staff who prepares a site before building. They are responsible for removing the sewage, redirecting water flows using pumps, cementing the project site, and laying the curb. Usually, they provide the tools they need for projects. Groundworkers require basic numeracy because of the nature of their role. They must also be decisive and confident in the quality of their work. Most importantly, this job requires a high level of fitness for safe working in the location.

Arborist vs ground worker salary

Arborists and ground workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

ArboristGround Worker
Average salary$41,881$29,875
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $57,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyFlorida Power & LightMount St. Mary's University
Best paying industryManufacturingGovernment

Differences between arborist and ground worker education

There are a few differences between an arborist and a ground worker in terms of educational background:

ArboristGround Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorForestryBusiness
Most common college--

Arborist vs ground worker demographics

Here are the differences between arborists' and ground workers' demographics:

ArboristGround Worker
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 92.6% Female, 7.4%Male, 85.7% Female, 14.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 1.5% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between arborist and ground worker duties and responsibilities

Arborist example responsibilities.

  • Cut grass weed eater feed animals water plants fix mowers drive tractor work on plumbing.
  • Utilize climbing equipment or buckets of extend truck booms, and/or chainsaws, hooks, handsaws, shears, and clippers.
  • Obtain ISA certification, pesticide applicator certification and CDL.
  • Maintain and mow lawns; top, trim, and prune shrubs, hedges, and trees.
  • Follow all ANSI pruning practices.
  • Asphalt roller man grind man shovel loot operator
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Ground worker example responsibilities.

  • Manage hardscape installation team and project
  • Operate vehicles and power equipment such as mowers, snow blowers, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
  • Aid in the maintenance of equipment as needed (lawn mowers, tractors, weed-eaters, leaf blowers, etc . )
  • Mow rough, greens, fairways, hand water greens, spread seed on greens and fairways, rake sand traps.
  • Used both hand shovels and plow trucks to remove snow.
  • Operate backhoe and bobcat to assist plumbing and irrigation dept.
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Arborist vs ground worker skills

Common arborist skills
  • CDL, 12%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • ISA, 6%
  • Grinders, 5%
Common ground worker skills
  • Mowing, 12%
  • GRASS, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Grounds Maintenance, 8%
  • Blowers, 4%
  • Routine Maintenance, 4%

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