How to Become a Arborist / Tree Surgeon — Salary, Training & Licensing
Climb 80-foot trees, diagnose diseases, and shape the urban canopy — all while earning $40K–85K+ with nothing but a chainsaw, ropes, and expertise. Arboriculture is one of the most physically thrilling and in-demand careers on Earth.
94% High Demand
$40K–$85K+
Salary Range
High
Demand
+7%
Job Growth
℞ Prescribed by data · BLS · WEF · McKinsey
Arborist / Tree Surgeon Apprenticeship & Training in Oregon
Licensing & Requirements
Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) license required for businesses performing tree work for hire. ISA Certified Arborist credential preferred. Pesticide applicator license from ODA for plant healthcare treatments.
Training Programs
Clackamas CC (horticulture/arboriculture), Mt. Hood CC, Oregon State University (forestry, horticulture), PCC, ISA Pacific Northwest Chapter training, TCIA accredited companies provide on-the-job training.
Davey Tree Expert Company, Bartlett Tree Experts, Asplundh (PGE/Pacific Power line clearance), City of Portland Urban Forestry, Morgan Tree Service, General Tree Service, private tree care companies.
Career Overview
Is this career right for you?
✓You love being outdoors and working with nature — specifically trees
✓You're physically fit, comfortable with heights, and enjoy climbing
✓You like science — understanding biology, ecology, and plant pathology
✓You're okay with risk — this is one of the more dangerous trades
✓You want a career where every job site is different
✓You care about the environment and want to make a visible impact on your community
Your Roadmap
1
Get Your FoundationAges 14–18
Take biology, environmental science, and botany courses
Get a job with a local tree service — even ground crew work gets you in the door
Learn to identify common tree species, diseases, and pests in your area
Build physical fitness — climbing requires upper body strength, core stability, and endurance
Get CPR/First Aid certified and learn basic chainsaw safety
2
Start Working and TrainingAges 18–21
Join a tree care company as a ground crew member — learn the ropes (literally)
Option A: Earn an Associate's or Certificate in arboriculture, urban forestry, or horticulture
Option B: Learn entirely on the job through a tree care company apprenticeship
Begin learning to climb — recreational tree climbing courses are a great start
3
Become a ClimberAges 20–24
Progress from ground crew to climbing — this is where the real work (and pay) begins
Master pruning standards (ANSI A300), rigging techniques, and aerial rescue
Learn chainsaw operation for aerial work — this requires extensive supervised practice
Get your TCIA (Tree Care Industry Association) safety certifications
Study for the ISA Certified Arborist exam — this is the industry gold standard credential
4
Get ISA CertifiedAges 23–26
Pass the ISA Certified Arborist exam (requires 3 years experience or degree + 1 year)
Certification covers: tree biology, soil science, pruning, cabling, tree risk assessment, pest management
ISA Certified Arborists earn significantly more than non-certified climbers
Consider additional certs: ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), ISA Certified Tree Worker
Get your CDL if you want to drive bucket trucks and chip trucks
5
Specialize and AdvanceYears 5–10
Specialize in tree risk assessment, plant healthcare, large removals, or utility line clearance
Move into crew lead or operations manager roles ($55–75K)
Utility arborists (power line clearance) earn $50–80K with excellent benefits from utility companies
Municipal arborists manage city tree programs ($55–85K with government benefits)
Consulting arborists assess tree value, risk, and health for property owners and legal cases ($60–100K+)
6
Ownership and Advanced PathsYears 8+
Start your own tree care company — startup costs are $30–80K for equipment (truck, chipper, saws)
Successful tree care business owners earn $80–150K+ (high-end firms earn more)
Urban forestry management positions with cities and counties ($65–95K + pension)
Teaching arboriculture at community colleges or trade programs
Expert witness work for legal cases involving trees (storm damage, property disputes) — $150–300/hour
Tree Care Companies & Career Pathways
Davey Tree Expert Company
One of the largest employee-owned tree care companies in the US. Offers paid training, ISA certification support, career advancement from ground crew to management, and employee stock ownership (ESOP).
Bartlett Tree Experts
Premium residential/commercial tree care with research lab. Known for science-based approach, arborist development programs, and career advancement opportunities.
Asplundh / Utility Tree Service
The largest utility line clearance contractor in the world. Steady work, benefits, CDL training, and utility arborist career track with major utility companies.
SavATree / The Davey Tree Expert Company
High-end residential tree and lawn care. Plant healthcare specialist roles, consulting arborist paths, and ISA certification support.
Municipal / Government Forestry
City, county, and state forestry departments hire arborists with government benefits, pension, stable schedules, and urban forest management responsibilities.
The BLS projects 7% growth for tree trimmers and pruners. Climate change, urban development, and storm damage are increasing demand for qualified arborists. ISA Certified Arborists are in particularly high demand — there aren't enough to meet the need.
ISA Certified Arborist / Crew Lead$50-70KYears 5-8
Business Owner / Consulting Arborist$70-150K+Years 8+
vs. College
You can start working in tree care with zero education — just show up to a tree company. An arboriculture certificate or associate's takes 1–2 years and costs $5–20K. ISA Certified Arborist requires 3 years of experience (or a degree + 1 year). Compare that to a $80K bachelor's degree — arborists are earning money from day one, building skills on the job, and can own a business within 5–8 years.
The Real Talk
The Good
Work outdoors every day in one of the most physically thrilling trades
Every job is different — different trees, different properties, different challenges
Visible impact — you literally shape the landscape of your community
Low barrier to entry — you can start with no education or certifications
Path to business ownership with relatively low startup costs
94% AI-era demand score — AI urban planning is expanding green infrastructure, and humans climb the trees
The Hard Parts
One of the most dangerous trades — falls, chainsaw injuries, struck-by hazards are real risks
Physically brutal — climbing in heat, cold, wind, and rain takes a toll
Seasonal in many regions — winter can mean layoffs or reduced hours in northern states
Hard on your body long-term — knees, shoulders, and back take a beating
Ground crew pay is low until you become a climber ($30-38K starting)
Is It Worth It?
If you've ever looked at a massive tree and thought "I want to climb that" — this might be your career. Arboriculture is for people who want their office to be 60 feet in the air, who love the combination of physical challenge and scientific knowledge, and who want to do something that genuinely matters for the environment. It's dangerous, demanding, and hard on your body. But it's also endlessly interesting, deeply satisfying, and one of the few careers where you can literally see the impact of your work for decades. Those trees you planted and pruned will outlive you.
A Career Is Just One Part of Your Story
The best careers don't just pay well — they give you freedom, purpose, and time for the people and things you love. Choose a path that makes your whole life better, not just your resume.