To become an arborist, you'll usually start with on-the-job training, learning to climb and use chainsaws, chippers and stump grinders safely. In the US, employers may add arboriculture training, and you'll need a state licence to apply pesticides. In the UK, where the job is often called tree surgeon, you can take an Arborist Level 2 apprenticeship and need a Certificate of Competence for chainsaw work.
Arborists care for trees: cutting away dead or excess branches, clearing lines and roads, felling and removing trees, and diagnosing tree diseases. It's skilled, physical work at height. Here's how to get in, using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) handbook, which calls the job tree trimmers and pruners, and the UK National Careers Service profile for tree surgeons, both read in October 2026.
Arborist routes at a glance
| US (BLS) | UK (National Careers Service) | |
|---|---|---|
| Job title | Tree trimmers and pruners, also called arborists | Tree surgeon |
| Main route | On-the-job training | Apprenticeship, college course, university or starting as a labourer |
| Apprenticeship | Not described for this job | Arborist Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, usually at least 2 years |
| Required certificates | State licence if you apply pesticides | Certificate of Competence for hazardous chainsaw tasks |
| Extra training | Large employers may add arboriculture, urban forestry and tree climbing | Chainsaw, rope, ladder and harness training |
How to become an arborist in the US
- Get hired and trained on the job. BLS says grounds maintenance workers typically learn on the job, including how to use equipment safely.
- Look for employers that teach arboriculture. Golf courses, university campuses and municipalities may add instruction in horticulture, arboriculture, urban forestry, insect and disease diagnosis and tree climbing.
- Get licensed if you'll spray. Most states require a licence to apply pesticides, which usually means passing a test on using and disposing of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
- Consider certification. It isn't required, but BLS says it shows competency and reliability to clients and employers.
How to become a tree surgeon in the UK
- Apprenticeship: the Arborist Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or Forest Craftsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, which usually take at least 2 years and mix on-the-job training with off-site learning.
- College: courses in arboriculture, forestry and arboriculture, or the T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production.
- University: a foundation degree, HND or degree in forestry, arboriculture, countryside management, forest management or woodland ecology and conservation.
- Starting on the ground: working as a forest labourer or groundworker helping a qualified tree surgeon, then training in chainsaws, ropes, ladders and harnesses.
You'll also need to cope with working at height, and you'll need a Certificate of Competence if you carry out hazardous tasks using a chainsaw. A driving licence helps, because you'll travel to jobs. The National Careers Service suggests volunteering with groups such as The Tree Council, Forestry England and the Woodland Trust to get experience first.
What arborists earn in the US
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median hourly wage of $24.50 for tree trimmers and pruners in May 2025. That's the highest of the grounds maintenance jobs BLS tracks:
| Job (US, May 2025) | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Tree trimmers and pruners | $24.50 |
| Grounds maintenance workers, all other | $22.53 |
| Pesticide handlers, sprayers and applicators, vegetation | $22.28 |
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers | $18.82 |
So if you're already doing general grounds work, moving into tree work is one of the clearest ways to earn more.
The safety catch
Here's the part nobody should skip. BLS says tree trimmers and pruners have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. You'll use chainsaws, chippers and stump grinders, often high off the ground, and workers wear protective clothing, eyewear and earplugs.
That's why the UK Certificate of Competence for chainsaw work matters, and why I'd only train with an employer that takes climbing and rigging training seriously. Ask about it at interview.
Job outlook
BLS projects tree trimmer and pruner jobs to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, from 70,600 to 73,600. Work can be seasonal, with longer hours in spring, summer and fall, so plan for quieter winter months.
Knowing your species is part of the job, and a tree identification app is a handy way to learn on the go. If you'd rather work across whole gardens and grounds, my guide on how to become a landscaper covers that route.
What arborists do day to day
The National Careers Service lists the core tasks as identifying hazards caused by trees, climbing trees to cut back or remove branches, cutting down and removing trees and stumps, planting trees and assessing their health, and working with clients to produce tree survey reports. BLS adds that some arborists specialise in diagnosing and treating tree diseases, while others focus on pruning and shaping ornamental trees and shrubs.
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That report-writing side is easy to overlook. If you can climb and also explain to a client why a tree needs work, you're far more useful to an employer, and it's a skill that helps if you later run your own business. The National Careers Service also describes tree surgery as a green job, because you're keeping trees healthy so they can grow.
My verdict
You can become an arborist without a degree, learning on the job in the US or through a 2-year apprenticeship in the UK. The pay is the best in grounds work, but so is the risk. Get the chainsaw and climbing training right first, and treat safety as the real qualification.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a degree to be an arborist?
No. In the US, BLS says these workers typically learn on the job. In the UK, apprenticeships and college courses are common routes, though degrees in arboriculture and forestry exist.
How long does it take to become a tree surgeon?
In the UK, the Arborist Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship usually takes at least 2 years, according to the National Careers Service.
Do tree surgeons need a chainsaw certificate?
Yes, in the UK you'll need a Certificate of Competence if you carry out hazardous tasks using a chainsaw.
How much do arborists make?
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median hourly wage of $24.50 for tree trimmers and pruners in May 2025, the highest of the grounds maintenance jobs it tracks.
Is being an arborist dangerous?
It can be. BLS says tree trimmers and pruners have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.
