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The differences between arborists and grounds maintenance workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an arborist, becoming a grounds maintenance worker takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an arborist has an average salary of $41,881, which is higher than the $28,562 average annual salary of a grounds maintenance worker.
The top three skills for an arborist include CDL, hand tools and CPR. The most important skills for a grounds maintenance worker are GRASS, grounds maintenance, and mowing.
| Arborist | Grounds Maintenance Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $41,881 | $28,562 |
| Hourly rate | $20.14 | $13.73 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 4,040 | 115,674 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Average age | 41 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
A grounds maintenance worker makes sure that the grounds of businesses, urban infrastructure, parks, and houses are in order and attractive. These workers provide a functional and pleasant outdoor environment to spaces. They mow, fertilize, and edge lawns. Their tasks may include removing damaged, unwanted, or dead trees in these areas. They also maintain the indoor plantings and gardens in public and commercial facilities like hotels, botanical gardens, and malls.
Arborists and grounds maintenance workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Arborist | Grounds Maintenance Worker | |
| Average salary | $41,881 | $28,562 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $57,000 | Between $23,000 And $35,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Florida Power & Light | Lakeland Electric |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between an arborist and a grounds maintenance worker in terms of educational background:
| Arborist | Grounds Maintenance Worker | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Forestry | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between arborists' and grounds maintenance workers' demographics:
| Arborist | Grounds Maintenance Worker | |
| Average age | 41 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 4.7% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 2% |