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Arborist vs landscape architect

The differences between arborists and landscape architects 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 landscape architect takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a landscape architect has an average salary of $62,379, which is higher than the $41,881 average annual salary of an arborist.

The top three skills for an arborist include CDL, hand tools and CPR. The most important skills for a landscape architect are cost estimates, sketchup, and site analysis.

Arborist vs landscape architect overview

ArboristLandscape Architect
Yearly salary$41,881$62,379
Hourly rate$20.14$29.99
Growth rate5%-
Number of jobs4,04077,084
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4144
Years of experience24

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 landscape architect do?

A landscape architect specializes in developing external areas into functional natural environments. Their responsibilities typically revolve around meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, drawing designs and creating models, and presenting proposals to clients with sustainability and environment conditions in mind. A landscape architect is also responsible for liaising with contractors and other external parties, obtaining certifications, and performing research and analysis as needed. Furthermore, as a landscape architect, it is essential to coordinate and encourage the team to reach goals within budgets and deadlines.

Arborist vs landscape architect salary

Arborists and landscape architects have different pay scales, as shown below.

ArboristLandscape Architect
Average salary$41,881$62,379
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $57,000Between $43,000 And $90,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CASan Rafael, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyFlorida Power & LightTillys
Best paying industryManufacturingMedia

Differences between arborist and landscape architect education

There are a few differences between an arborist and a landscape architect in terms of educational background:

ArboristLandscape Architect
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorForestryLandscape Architecture
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Arborist vs landscape architect demographics

Here are the differences between arborists' and landscape architects' demographics:

ArboristLandscape Architect
Average age4144
Gender ratioMale, 92.6% Female, 7.4%Male, 75.5% Female, 24.5%
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, 0.4% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 5.8% Asian, 5.2% White, 85.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage3%13%

Differences between arborist and landscape architect 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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Landscape architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage streetscape improvement program and implement urban forestry programs.
  • Manage technical architects for development and support of existing and new terminal platforms to support Walmart mobile and batch application infrastructure.
  • Supervise teams of consultants including structural, civil, and MEP engineers and lighting, leer, code & waterproofing consultants.
  • Respond to incoming RFI's.
  • Process 3D renderings and animations in lumion.
  • Design 3-Dimensional models of designs and project elements using SketchUp 3D.
  • Show more

Arborist vs landscape architect skills

Common arborist skills
  • CDL, 12%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • ISA, 6%
  • Grinders, 5%
Common landscape architect skills
  • Cost Estimates, 13%
  • SketchUp, 9%
  • Site Analysis, 9%
  • Landscape Design, 9%
  • Site Inventory, 7%
  • GIS, 6%

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