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The average salary for a tree surgeon is approximately $50,669 per year. This figure can vary widely based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and specialization within the field. For instance, tree surgeons in urban areas tend to earn more due to higher demand and cost of living.
Tree surgeons in states such as California, New York, and Texas report some of the highest salaries, often due to the increased cost of living and demand for professional tree care. These states also feature larger populations, contributing to a greater need for tree management services.
Experience plays a significant role in determining salary. Entry-level tree surgeons typically start at around $35,000 annually, whereas those with five to ten years of experience can earn upwards of $55,000. With over a decade in the field, salaries can exceed $70,000, particularly for those who take on supervisory or specialized roles.
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The highest-paying states for tree surgeons are New York, California, and New Jersey. The lowest average tree surgeon salary states are Kansas, Alabama, and Missouri.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $68,305 | $32.84 |
| 2 | Alaska | $62,144 | $29.88 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $55,039 | $26.46 |
| 4 | Nevada | $57,365 | $27.58 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $58,282 | $28.02 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $65,886 | $31.68 |
| 7 | Delaware | $58,352 | $28.05 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $52,574 | $25.28 |
| 9 | California | $66,432 | $31.94 |
| 10 | Illinois | $56,854 | $27.33 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $50,572 | $24.31 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $50,872 | $24.46 |
| 13 | Utah | $56,699 | $27.26 |
| 14 | South Dakota | $49,606 | $23.85 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $56,655 | $27.24 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $50,087 | $24.08 |
| 17 | Vermont | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| 19 | Ohio | $52,179 | $25.09 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $47,448 | $22.81 |
| 21 | Maryland | $53,533 | $25.74 |
| 22 | Michigan | $47,242 | $22.71 |
| 23 | Montana | $51,218 | $24.62 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $46,498 | $22.35 |
| 25 | Indiana | $45,111 | $21.69 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $46,172 | $22.20 |
| 27 | Maine | $44,281 | $21.29 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $48,384 | $23.26 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $49,668 | $23.88 |
| 30 | District of Columbia | $55,936 | $26.89 |
| 31 | Idaho | $48,397 | $23.27 |
| 32 | Arizona | $46,839 | $22.52 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $43,946 | $21.13 |
| 35 | Washington | $45,586 | $21.92 |
| 36 | Texas | $45,159 | $21.71 |
| 37 | Oregon | $44,886 | $21.58 |
| 38 | Iowa | $43,222 | $20.78 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $40,118 | $19.29 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $39,721 | $19.10 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $40,119 | $19.29 |
| 42 | Virginia | $44,627 | $21.46 |
| 43 | Wisconsin | $36,007 | $17.31 |
| 44 | Georgia | $39,845 | $19.16 |
| 45 | Florida | $34,148 | $16.42 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $41,701 | $20.05 |
| 47 | Kansas | $39,307 | $18.90 |
| 48 | Colorado | $42,065 | $20.22 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $35,379 | $17.01 |
| 50 | Alabama | $38,478 | $18.50 |
| 51 | Missouri | $37,712 | $18.13 |
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| 2 | Gainesville, FL | $34,281 | $16.48 |
A tree surgeon's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $79,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
| Average | $50,669 | $4,222 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
The highest paying types of tree surgeons are tree specialist, diagnostician, and tree expert.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trimmer | $31,600 | $2,633 | $15.19 | 2,023 |
| Tree Climber | $42,833 | $3,569 | $20.59 | 9,285 |
Top companies hiring tree surgeons now:
Tree surgeon salaries at City of Los Angeles and Town & Country Landscaping Inc are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average tree surgeon salary at companies like J & L Inc and City of Gainesville are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Los Angeles | $59,485 | $28.60 |
| 2 | Town & Country Landscaping Inc | $49,958 | $24.02 |
| 3 | J & L Inc | $47,315 | $22.75 |
| 4 | City of Gainesville | $41,706 | $20.05 |
The average tree surgeon salary has risen by $12,281 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average tree surgeon earned $38,388 annually, but today, they earn $50,669 a year. That works out to a 18% change in pay for tree surgeons over the last decade.
Compare tree surgeon salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare tree surgeon salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $50,700 | $24.36 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $49,000 | $23.56 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $46,800 | $22.50 | +4.5% |
| 2022 | $44,700 | $21.48 | +3.9% |
| 2021 | $42,900 | $20.64 | +4.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Los Angeles | Tree Surgeon 3114 (Revised | Ione, CA | 02/17/2025 | $54,308 |
| City of Los Angeles | Tree Surgeon Supervisor 3117 | Los Angeles, CA | 01/27/2025 | $93,772 |
| City of Gainesville | Tree Surgeon I | Gainesville, FL | 01/26/2025 | $34,289 |
| PJ Chaffin Ltd. | Tree Surgeons/De-Veg Operatives | Kent, WA | 10/24/2024 | $33,052 |
| Eastern Illinois University | Tree Surgeon | Charleston, IL | 10/11/2024 | $52,071 |
| Somerville | Tree Surgeon | Somerville, MA | 10/10/2024 | $65,158 |
| City of Somerville | Tree Surgeon | Somerville, MA | 10/02/2024 | $65,158 |
| Somerville | Tree Surgeon | Somerville, MA | 09/26/2024 | $65,158 |
| Eastern Illinois University | Tree Surgeon | Charleston, IL | 09/25/2024 | $52,071 |
| Port of Los Angeles | Tree Surgeon 3114 (Revised | Ione, CA | 09/25/2024 | $54,308 |
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