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Pruner, Tree Care Specialist, Tree Cutter, 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:
| Starting | $20.64 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $23.61 |
| Top | $29.05 |
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
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 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.
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:
Some arborists are ground-based consultants. They have similar duties, but do not perform the physical work of a climbing arborist. Ground-based consulting arborists may:
Arborists generally work in cities, but rural work is becoming more common. They work in crews of 2 to 6 people. They work outdoors, often throughout the year. They may work long hours in spring and summer, especially after storms and emergencies.
Arborists use hand and power tools. They also use specialized pruning tools and application equipment. They must take care to avoid injury when working with tools, machinery and chemicals, and be aware of electrical hazards around power lines. Their work involves climbing, bending, twisting, and lifting and can be physically tiring.
Under Part 39 of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code [pdf], employers must develop and implement safe work practices and procedures that include:
Arborists need:
They should enjoy:
Arborists should not fear heights.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 21 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 17, 2021 and Jan 18, 2022.
Review these skills to learn:
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 17 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 17 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 17 |
| Manage landscaping projects | 14 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 13 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 13 |
| Personal Suitability: Client focus | 13 |
| Plant and move trees | 13 |
| Area of Specialization: Landscape design | 13 |
| Area of Specialization: Landscape construction | 12 |
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 and advancement technique courses. Topics may include climbing techniques or aerial rescue.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Related short courses also are available:
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.
Pesticide applicators use pesticides (chemicals) to control pests, such as weeds, diseases or destructive insects or animals, as part of their paid employment.
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. The 2 types of dispensers in Alberta are:
Certification for applicators and dispensers require successful completion of an exam. A preparatory course is available through home study materials or classroom tutorials.
Individuals may become certified in one or more applicator classes. For detailed official information, read about the pesticide applicator and dispenser certification requirements on the Government of Alberta website.
Pesticide applicator and dispensers who are certified by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for certification in Alberta if certified pesticide applicators and dispensers in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the Government of Alberta website.
Alberta Environment and Parks
Government of Alberta
9th Floor, South Petroleum Plaza 9920 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2G8
Canada
Call: 780-538-6460
Toll-free within Alberta: 310-3773, then 780-538-6460
Toll-free outside Alberta: 780-944-0313
Website: www.alberta.ca/environment-and-parks.aspx
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.
Arborists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2225: Landscape and Horticultural Technicians and Specialists. In Alberta, 84% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 2225: Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the 39 new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
In Alberta, the 2225: Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the 39 new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $36.94 | $20.64 | $16.00 |
| Overall | $16.50 | $40.38 | $23.61 | $19.95 |
| Top | $18.00 | $50.23 | $29.05 | $30.00 |
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.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $76,629 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $60,604 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $49,436 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $36,644 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $27,829 |
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 31, 2019. 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.