Money · 1 of 5

What arborists make

Climbing arborist

$62,000

Groundworker

$44,000

Utility arborist or crew lead

$85,000

Job Bank puts most arborists between $21 and $41 an hour. Utility line clearing (keeping trees off power lines for Hydro One, BC Hydro and others) pays the most and is often unionized. City forestry crews add pensions. Small residential tree companies pay the least.