Post job

Tree climber vs grounds person

The differences between tree climbers and grounds people can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a tree climber has an average salary of $42,833, which is higher than the $33,955 average annual salary of a grounds person.

The top three skills for a tree climber include CDL, bucket truck and hand tools. The most important skills for a grounds person are ladders, PPE, and CDL.

Tree climber vs grounds person overview

Tree ClimberGrounds Person
Yearly salary$42,833$33,955
Hourly rate$20.59$16.32
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs9,28537,122
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 55%
Average age3841
Years of experience-2

What does a tree climber do?

The job of a Tree Climber is to skillfully ascend and descend a tall tree while performing a range of duties. Your key role is to train people like researchers and photographers on how to safely climb trees and to assess the canopy of really large trees so as to maintain them. These duties you'll do include pruning of tree branches and spraying to eliminate pests and diseases, all of which fall under arborist duties. You may even be responsible for providing adventure to eco-tourists in the entertainment industry.

What does a grounds person do?

A grounds person is responsible for the overall upkeep of an institution's grounds, public parks, and other similar areas. They are usually employed in schools, especially in schools with provisions for outdoor sports or lawn sports such as soccer, golf, tennis, and football, among others. A grounds person is in charge of the maintenance of the grass on the lawn, of the repairs and maintenance of fixtures such as lights, benches, and fountains, and even of the cleanliness of the area. As such, it is expected that a grounds person is familiar with taking care of plants, conducting routine maintenance work, and repairing fixtures.

Tree climber vs grounds person salary

Tree climbers and grounds people have different pay scales, as shown below.

Tree ClimberGrounds Person
Average salary$42,833$33,955
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $58,000Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CitySanta Clara, CAWaltham, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyCagwin & DorwardSchnitzer Steel
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between tree climber and grounds person education

There are a few differences between a tree climber and a grounds person in terms of educational background:

Tree ClimberGrounds Person
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 55%
Most common majorBusinessGeneral Studies
Most common college--

Tree climber vs grounds person demographics

Here are the differences between tree climbers' and grounds people' demographics:

Tree ClimberGrounds Person
Average age3841
Gender ratioMale, 97.7% Female, 2.3%Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 1.0% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 2.2% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between tree climber and grounds person duties and responsibilities

Tree climber example responsibilities.

  • Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes and to remove low-hanging branches.
  • Adhere to all ANSI and OSHA guidelines, to include company guidelines.
  • Cut branches from trees, using chainsaws, handsaws, clippers, etc.
  • Drag brush, chuck logs, run rope, removals, prune, clean out, rigging.
  • Drive CDL require company vehicles.
  • Spread rock with shovels and bobcats.
  • Show more

Grounds person example responsibilities.

  • Used hand saws and hand pruners as well as motorized saws to manage tree cuttings on the ground.
  • Operate and maintain non CDL truck, bobcat, wood chipper, and grind saw.
  • Perform maintenance and preventative maintenance including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, flooring, painting and suspend ceilings.
  • Operate power equipment such as mowers, snow blowers, chain-saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, and pruning saws.
  • Certify forklift for NC and SC, CPR and first aid
  • Mow lawn, plant flowers and remove litter and snow.
  • Show more

Tree climber vs grounds person skills

Common tree climber skills
  • CDL, 24%
  • Bucket Truck, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Lawn Care, 10%
  • Aerial Lift, 8%
  • Line Clearance, 6%
Common grounds person skills
  • Ladders, 30%
  • PPE, 17%
  • CDL, 9%
  • GRASS, 5%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • CPR, 4%

Browse building and grounds maintenance jobs