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Arborist vs yard worker

The differences between arborists and yard 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 yard worker. Additionally, an arborist has an average salary of $41,881, which is higher than the $32,628 average annual salary of a yard worker.

The top three skills for an arborist include CDL, hand tools and CPR. The most important skills for a yard worker are OSHA, basic math, and strong customer service.

Arborist vs yard worker overview

ArboristYard Worker
Yearly salary$41,881$32,628
Hourly rate$20.14$15.69
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs4,04063,408
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%High School Diploma, 57%
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 yard worker do?

A yard worker provides landscape maintenance services to homes and establishments. Their responsibilities typically include meeting with clients to identify their needs and landscape preferences, mowing lawns, growing plants and trees, applying pesticides and fertilizers, operating irrigation systems, and maintaining grounds clean and presentable. There are also instances when a yard worker may participate in installing fixtures such as ponds, topiaries, lighting, Christmas ornaments, and other decorations in adherence to the directives of clients or management.

Arborist vs yard worker salary

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

ArboristYard Worker
Average salary$41,881$32,628
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $57,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyFlorida Power & LightRasmussen Co Inc
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between arborist and yard worker education

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

ArboristYard Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%High School Diploma, 57%
Most common majorForestryBusiness
Most common college--

Arborist vs yard worker demographics

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

ArboristYard Worker
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 92.6% Female, 7.4%Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
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, 8.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 2.0% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between arborist and yard 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
  • Show more

Yard worker example responsibilities.

  • Used mowers, weed whackers/trimmers and rakes to maintain yards
  • Used forklifts and bucket loaders to load and unload purchase products and materials.
  • Obtain CDL license and deliver lumber and other home building hardware to various contractors.
  • Work in yard stock shelfs deliverd materials run fork lift drive boom truck and flat bed
  • Unload and load rolls of paper, operate cranes, drive trucks around the yard.
  • Operate bobcat and mini excavator to prepare area for sidewalk construction, drain installation, and cleanup.
  • Show more

Arborist vs yard worker skills

Common arborist skills
  • CDL, 12%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • ISA, 6%
  • Grinders, 5%
Common yard worker skills
  • OSHA, 17%
  • Basic Math, 15%
  • Strong Customer Service, 11%
  • Math, 11%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%

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