Tree Trimmers and Pruners salary in California
Tree Trimmers and Pruners in California earn a median of $62,550 a year ($30.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,270 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $50,960. California ranks 6th of 49 states for tree trimmers and pruners pay. There are 0.53 tree trimmers and pruners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tree trimmers and pruners in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| 25th percentile | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| Median | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| 75th percentile | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,270 | $44.36 |
| Average (mean) | $63,610 | $30.58 |
Half of tree trimmers and pruners earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,212.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,606.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,405.77 |
| Weekly | $1,202.88 |
| Hourly | $30.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Tree Trimmers and Pruners salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $75,980 | 990 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $73,570 | 190 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $63,630 | 650 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $63,530 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,500 | 800 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $63,410 | 710 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $61,990 | 200 |
| Modesto, CA | $61,270 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $60,440 | 3,150 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,260 | 1,270 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $60,080 | 120 |
| Salinas, CA | $60,070 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $59,990 | 220 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $50,190 | 70 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $47,720 | 110 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,160 | 80 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $43,570 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for tree trimmers and pruners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $77,460 |
| Oregon | $75,440 |
| New Jersey | $71,940 |
| Illinois | $64,450 |
| Washington | $63,850 |
| California | $62,550 |
| Massachusetts | $62,550 |
| New York | $62,400 |
| Vermont | $62,170 |
| Missouri | $61,140 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,090 | $19.75 |
| Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Building Cleaning Workers, All Other | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| Pest Control Worker | $47,190 | $22.69 |
More: Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 37-3013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tree trimmers and pruners make in California?
The median salary for tree trimmers and pruners in California is $62,550 a year, or $30.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tree trimmers and pruners make in California?
The top 10% of tree trimmers and pruners in California earn at least $92,270 a year. The top 25% earn $78,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for tree trimmers and pruners in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,750 a year, and a quarter of tree trimmers and pruners earn $46,880 or less.
How many tree trimmers and pruners work in California?
About 9,610 tree trimmers and pruners are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.