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Horticulturist vs arborist

The differences between horticulturists and arborists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a horticulturist and an arborist. Additionally, an arborist has an average salary of $41,881, which is higher than the $36,583 average annual salary of a horticulturist.

The top three skills for a horticulturist include GRASS, irrigation systems and horticulture. The most important skills for an arborist are CDL, hand tools, and CPR.

Horticulturist vs arborist overview

HorticulturistArborist
Yearly salary$36,583$41,881
Hourly rate$17.59$20.14
Growth rate8%5%
Number of jobs3274,040
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age4041
Years of experience22

What does a horticulturist do?

The primary role of a horticulturist is to care, maintain, and cultivate plant propagation. Horticulturists may work in various environments with plants such as garden centers or arboretum. These professionals use scientific knowledge about plant cultivation and propagation. They provide technical information to farmers and flower and vegetable growers. Part of their job is to perform disease and pest experiments and investigations with improved plant varieties with greater disease resistance. Also, they may assist in the regeneration of degraded land in the mining industry.

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.

Horticulturist vs arborist salary

Horticulturists and arborists have different pay scales, as shown below.

HorticulturistArborist
Average salary$36,583$41,881
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $60,000Between $30,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CityWellesley, MARedwood City, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyStanford Health CareFlorida Power & Light
Best paying industryGovernmentManufacturing

Differences between horticulturist and arborist education

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

HorticulturistArborist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorPlant SciencesForestry
Most common collegeCornell University-

Horticulturist vs arborist demographics

Here are the differences between horticulturists' and arborists' demographics:

HorticulturistArborist
Average age4041
Gender ratioMale, 59.4% Female, 40.6%Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 9.1% White, 73.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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%
LGBT Percentage19%3%

Differences between horticulturist and arborist duties and responsibilities

Horticulturist example responsibilities.

  • Manage payroll processing and all aspects of accounts receivable and payable.
  • Operate snow plows, snow blowers and large salt sprayers.
  • Maintain all flower beds, landscape areas, and turf grass areas.
  • Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers.
  • Maintain inventory and help with Quickbooks.
  • Provide assistance with loading and unloading pigs.
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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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Horticulturist vs arborist skills

Common horticulturist skills
  • GRASS, 13%
  • Irrigation Systems, 9%
  • Horticulture, 9%
  • Grounds Maintenance, 7%
  • Mowing, 6%
  • Plant Material, 4%
Common arborist skills
  • CDL, 12%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • ISA, 6%
  • Grinders, 5%

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