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Pruner, Tree Care Specialist, Tree Cutter, Tree Surgeon, Tree Worker
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Most arborists specialize in a certain type of tree care like pruning, planting, or tree health. Their duties depend on their specialty and employer. In general, they:
Arborists may be climbing or ground-based consultants. Ground-based arborists have similar duties, but do not perform the physical work of climbing. Ground-based arborists may:
Most arborists work in cities, but rural work is becoming more common. They work outdoors in crews of 2 to 6 people, often throughout the year, with some time indoors doing paperwork. They may work long hours in spring and summer, and after storms or emergencies.
Arborists use hand and power tools. They also use specialized pruning tools and pesticide-application equipment. They must avoid injury when working with tools, machinery, chemicals, and electrical hazards such as power lines. Their work involves climbing, bending, twisting, and lifting and can be physically demanding.
Under Part 39 of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code [pdf], employers must develop and implement safe work practices and procedures that include:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in operating equipment to apply treatments such as pruning, spraying, repairing damaged areas and injecting treatment solutions
Interest in analyzing information to determine appropriate treatment methods
Interest in speaking with clients on issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of injured and diseased trees and plants
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Arborists need:
They should enjoy:
Arborists should not fear heights.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 107 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Aug 21, 2024 and Jun 17, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 77 |
|---|---|
| Work Setting: Various locations | 75 |
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 73 |
| Tasks: Plant and maintain private and public lawns and gardens | 71 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 70 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 70 |
| Tasks: Plant and move trees | 64 |
| Tasks: Water and tend to plants, lawns and/or gardens | 63 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 61 |
| Tasks: Apply various treatments such as pruning, spraying, repairing damaged areas and injecting with treatment solutions | 61 |
Education and training requirements vary. Employees without experience or related education may start as labourers or grounds workers. They learn on the job. High school biology, ecology, and physics courses are an asset.
Arborists should be skilled in using ladders, ropes, knots, and climbing harnesses. Most emergency response units are not trained to remove an injured person from a tree. For this reason, arborists should be familiar with aerial rescue and safety techniques. Employers may send arborists to 1- or 2-day safety training courses, such as aerial rescue and climbing techniques.
Related short courses also are available:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Arborists require special certification to work on trees near energized power lines. Through Olds College, the Professional Vegetation Managers Association (PVMA) provides training for this certification.
Arborists who use pesticides to control pests must hold a Landscape Pesticide Applicator Certificate from Lakeland College.
Arborists who have at least 3 years of work experience can pursue certification by the International Society of Arboriculture.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Pesticide applicators use pesticides (chemicals) as part of their paid employment to control pests such as weeds, diseases, or destructive insects or animals.
Pesticide dispensers sell and store pesticides as part of their paid employment.
Under Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act [pdf] and Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation [pdf], to apply a commercial-class pesticide such as insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide, you must be one of the following:
To sell pesticides, you must be a certified dispenser. There are 2 types of dispensers in Alberta:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Pesticide Applicator and Dispenser.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Arborists work for:
Advancement is based on the arborist’s ability to keep up to date with new developments and willingness to take on responsibility. At least 2 to 3 years of extensive on-the-job training is generally needed before an arborist can lead a crew. Those with a lot of experience and extra training may advance to management positions. Some start their own companies or work as consultants.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
2016 NOC: 2225
79.7% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $33.04 | $21.52 | $20.00 |
| Overall | $19.00 | $37.64 | $24.62 | $24.50 |
| Top | $21.00 | $40.87 | $31.84 | $35.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $43,603 |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $57,471 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $39,950 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $68,691 |
| Public Administration | $70,351 |
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Prairie Chapter website: www.isaprairie.com
Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association (LANTA) website: www.landscape-alberta.com
Professional Vegetation Managers Association (PVMA) website: www.pvma.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 17, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
