Tree climber vs tree specialist

The differences between tree climbers and tree specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a tree specialist has an average salary of $47,499, which is higher than the $42,833 average annual salary of a tree climber.

The top three skills for a tree climber include CDL, bucket truck and hand tools. The most important skills for a tree specialist are grinders, ANSI, and equipment maintenance.

Tree climber vs tree specialist overview

	Tree Climber	Tree Specialist
Yearly salary	$42,833	$47,499
Hourly rate	$20.59	$22.84
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	9,285	19,189
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	-	-

Tree climber vs tree specialist salary

Tree climbers and tree specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tree Climber	Tree Specialist
Average salary	$42,833	$47,499
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $58,000	Between $33,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Santa Clara, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Cagwin & Dorward	-
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	-

Differences between tree climber and tree specialist education

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

	Tree Climber	Tree Specialist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Tree climber vs tree specialist demographics

Here are the differences between tree climbers' and tree specialists' demographics:

	Tree Climber	Tree Specialist
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3%	Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%
Race ratio	Black 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, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 1.0% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between tree climber and tree specialist 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.

Tree specialist example responsibilities.

Trim, top, and reshape trees to achieve attractive shapes and to remove low-hanging branches.
Conduct research using online federal regulations, review Medicare and Medicaid policy and guidelines to complete an accurate and well-support decision.
Administer appropriate tree and shrub fungicide and insecticide controls, discuss site plans for tree and shrub customers.

Tree climber vs tree specialist skills

Common tree climber skills

CDL, 24%
Bucket Truck, 13%
Hand Tools, 11%
Lawn Care, 10%
Aerial Lift, 8%
Line Clearance, 6%

Common tree specialist skills

Grinders, 27%
ANSI, 14%
Equipment Maintenance, 11%
Tree Removal, 11%
Prune, 8%
Hand Tools, 7%

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Tree Climber vs Tree Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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