Tree work is booming, but it is not just a labor story anymore. With 56% of US employers unable to fill landscaping and groundskeeping openings due to a lack of qualified candidates, the bottleneck feels as real on the ground as it does in safety and training requirements. From injury rates and OSHA exposures to pricing, outages, and market growth, these statistics explain why arborist demand can rise while staffing, compliance, and cash flow strain at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- 4.9 million jobs in the United States were in the tree care / landscaping and groundskeeping (including arborists and related workers) occupation group in 2022
- 56% of U.S. employers reported being unable to fill all job openings due to a lack of qualified candidates in 2022 (affecting hiring for field/technical trades like arboriculture)
- $27.14/hour was the U.S. median hourly wage for landscaping and groundskeeping workers in May 2023
- 21% of U.S. arborist/tree service workers (or closely related landscaping and groundskeeping jobs) reported a work-related injury in the past year in 2021–2022 survey data
- Aerial lift safety guidance commonly cites that fall protection reduces fall risk; OSHA requires fall protection where employees are exposed to falls of 4 feet or more
- OSHA’s PEL for silica dust is 50 micrograms per cubic meter (50 µg/m³) as an 8-hour TWA under the respirable crystalline silica standard (relevant for grinding/cutting during tree removal)
- 10.6% of the U.S. population lived in a household with a landscaping service business expenditure of some kind (proxy indicator for discretionary property services demand)
- $122.4 billion global market size for the urban forestry market was estimated for 2023, supporting demand for arboriculture and tree-care services
- 1 in 5 U.S. trees is estimated to be at risk from tree diseases and pests over time, increasing health-related arboriculture work (U.S. urban tree risk estimates)
- $35.6 billion U.S. market revenue for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Services in 2023 (includes tree services as a subset)
- $14.7 billion U.S. revenue for “Tree Trimming and Pruning” (subset related to arborist services) in 2023 (from North American industry estimates)
- $3.4 billion global market size for urban forestry was estimated for 2021, supporting service demand for arboriculture
- 1.2 million U.S. tree/landscape service establishments were active in 2022 (CBP establishments in landscaping/groundskeeping-related categories)
- $60–$150 is a common residential per-tree pruning/trim cost range in U.S. market pricing surveys (measurable posted-service pricing bands)
- $250–$1,500 is a common residential cost range for stump removal in U.S. pricing surveys (arborist-adjacent revenue driver)
With millions of tree care jobs nationwide and persistent hiring gaps, arborist safety, wages, and demand are growing fast.
Related reading
01 · Category
Workforce & Employment5 stats
01
4.9 million jobs in the United States were in the tree care / landscaping and groundskeeping (including arborists and related workers) occupation group in 2022https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes37pu.htm
02
56% of U.S. employers reported being unable to fill all job openings due to a lack of qualified candidates in 2022 (affecting hiring for field/technical trades like arboriculture)https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t05.htm
03
$27.14/hour was the U.S. median hourly wage for landscaping and groundskeeping workers in May 2023https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes37.htm
04
5.1% annualized job growth was projected for landscaping and groundskeeping occupations in the U.S. from 2022 to 2032https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.t04.htm
05
1.6 million workers in the U.S. are estimated to be in landscaping and groundskeeping-related jobs (BLS occupational aggregation for landscaping/groundskeeping and related outdoor services)https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes372021.htm
Interpretation
Workforce & Employment Interpretation
In the Workforce and Employment arena, tree care and related landscaping roles employ 4.9 million people while 56% of U.S. employers still report they cannot fill all openings due to a shortage of qualified candidates, even as wages average $27.14 per hour and job growth is projected to rise 5.1% from 2022 to 2032.
02 · Category
Safety & Compliance6 stats
01
21% of U.S. arborist/tree service workers (or closely related landscaping and groundskeeping jobs) reported a work-related injury in the past year in 2021–2022 survey datahttps://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/ostb.htm
02
Aerial lift safety guidance commonly cites that fall protection reduces fall risk; OSHA requires fall protection where employees are exposed to falls of 4 feet or morehttps://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.501
03
OSHA’s PEL for silica dust is 50 micrograms per cubic meter (50 µg/m³) as an 8-hour TWA under the respirable crystalline silica standard (relevant for grinding/cutting during tree removal)https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1153
04
OSHA requires hearing protection when noise exposures are at or above 85 dBA over an 8-hour time-weighted average for workers using noisy equipment (e.g., chainsaws/chippers)https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.95
05
OSHA’s lockout/tagout standard applies when servicing and maintaining machines or equipment; it requires authorized employees to control hazardous energy sourceshttps://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.147
06
OSHA’s crane and derrick standard establishes requirements for hoists, cranes, and slings used for lifting equipment and loads (often used in tree service operations)https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1400
Interpretation
Safety & Compliance Interpretation
Safety & Compliance in the arborist industry demands urgent attention because 21% of U.S. arborist and closely related workers reported a work related injury in 2021–2022, while OSHA standards on fall protection, silica limits of 50 µg/m³, and hearing protection at 85 dBA help define the key protections that must be consistently enforced.
03 · Category
Market Demand5 stats
01
10.6% of the U.S. population lived in a household with a landscaping service business expenditure of some kind (proxy indicator for discretionary property services demand)https://www.bls.gov/cex/
02
$122.4 billion global market size for the urban forestry market was estimated for 2023, supporting demand for arboriculture and tree-care serviceshttps://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/06/10/2890878/0/en/Urban-Forestry-Market-to-Reach-US-122-4-Billion-by-2032-Reports-and-Data.html
03
1 in 5 U.S. trees is estimated to be at risk from tree diseases and pests over time, increasing health-related arboriculture work (U.S. urban tree risk estimates)https://www.fs.usda.gov/pnw/publications/gtr/pnw-gtr-864
04
$5.6 billion U.S. annual economic value of street trees was estimated in 2020 (driving public tree-care budgets)https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/urban-forestry/Street-Trees-Economic-Value.pdf
05
1.3 billion cubic meters of wood demand is projected globally by 2030 (a macro driver for chainsaw-based and tree-removal-related service activity in some markets)https://www.fao.org/3/i4040e/i4040e.pdf
Interpretation
Market Demand Interpretation
Market demand for arborist services looks set to stay strong as 10.6% of U.S. households spend on landscaping services and the urban forestry market reaches $122.4 billion in 2023, while rising tree disease and pest risk affects 1 in 5 U.S. trees and keeps budgets for street trees valued at $5.6 billion annually.
04 · Category
Market Size7 stats
01
$35.6 billion U.S. market revenue for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Services in 2023 (includes tree services as a subset)https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/landscaping-services-industry/
02
$14.7 billion U.S. revenue for “Tree Trimming and Pruning” (subset related to arborist services) in 2023 (from North American industry estimates)https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/industry-reports/tree-trimming-pruning-united-states.html
03
$3.4 billion global market size for urban forestry was estimated for 2021, supporting service demand for arboriculturehttps://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/urban-forestry-market
04
$2.0 billion global market size for arboriculture services was estimated in 2022https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/arboriculture-services-market-size-to-reach-2-0-billion-by-2028-2023-12-15
05
2.2 million businesses were identified under landscaping-related NAICS categories in 2022 (CBP, U.S. establishment counts)https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cbp/data/datasets.html
06
0.9% inflation-adjusted price growth for landscaping services was reported in 2023 in the U.S. (indicating relatively stable pricing vs many sectors)https://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet?data_tool=prices
07
1,080,000 U.S. payroll jobs were in landscaping and groundskeeping services in 2023 (BLS CES, annual average)https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/SMU42311223000000001
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
In the market size snapshot, U.S. landscaping and groundskeeping services brought in $35.6 billion in 2023 with the tree trimming and pruning segment at $14.7 billion, showing that arborist-related work represents a large, stable share of a very substantial and still growing customer base.
More related reading
05 · Category
Pricing & Profitability7 stats
01
1.2 million U.S. tree/landscape service establishments were active in 2022 (CBP establishments in landscaping/groundskeeping-related categories)https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cbp/data/tables.html
02
$60–$150 is a common residential per-tree pruning/trim cost range in U.S. market pricing surveys (measurable posted-service pricing bands)https://www.angi.com/articles/average-cost-tree-trimming.htm
03
$250–$1,500 is a common residential cost range for stump removal in U.S. pricing surveys (arborist-adjacent revenue driver)https://www.angi.com/articles/stump-removal-cost.htm
04
$75–$200/hour is a commonly cited U.S. labor rate range for tree service work in consumer price guides (hourly billing benchmark)https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/landscape/tree-trimming/
05
$200–$800 is a commonly cited U.S. emergency tree removal cleanup cost range for many small trees (emergency pricing benchmark)https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/landscape/emergency-tree-removal/
06
$8,000–$15,000 is a common rental price for a 40–60 ft bucket/aerial lift for short periods in the U.S. (daily/weekly benchmark from rental market pricing)https://www.unitedrentals.com/services/equipment-rental/aerial-work-platforms
07
10% of small contractors cite fuel as a significant cost driver in field operations (profitability driver)https://www.nfib.com/content/resources/research/small-business-economic-trends/
Interpretation
Pricing & Profitability Interpretation
For Pricing & Profitability, the U.S. market shows a clear pricing structure where residential pruning typically lands at $60 to $150 per tree and stump removal at $250 to $1,500, while profit pressure is shaped by real operating costs like labor at $75 to $200 per hour and fuel being a major cost driver for 10% of small contractors.
06 · Category
Technology & Operations5 stats
01
80% of workers in construction-like trades (including field contractors) report using mobile devices for work tasks in daily operations (dispatch, job photos, time capture)https://www.zebra.com/content/dam/zebra/documents/en-us/solutions/smb/field-mobility/field-mobility-study.pdf
02
45% of field workers say paper-based workflows lead to delays in job completion (operation inefficiency benchmark)https://www.servicemax.com/blog/paper-based-field-operations-statistics
03
91% of organizations report improved data accuracy when using mobile forms vs paper (operations quality KPI)https://www.jotform.com/form-templates/field-reporting-survey-results/
04
13% of field service organizations reported increased customer satisfaction after implementing a job tracking app (CSAT proxy KPI)https://www.servicemax.com/blog/field-service-customer-satisfaction-stats
05
3.0x improvement in first-time completion rate was reported with use of augmented inspection/remote assistance tools in maintenance work (quality KPI benchmark)https://www.ptc.com/en/resources/augmented-reality-in-industries-study
Interpretation
Technology & Operations Interpretation
In the Technology and Operations side of the arborist industry, going digital is clearly paying off as 80% of daily field operations now use mobile work tools and the shift from paper to mobile forms drives 91% improved data accuracy and up to a 3.0x first time completion boost with augmented inspection.
07 · Category
Industry Trends8 stats
01
4% of U.S. residents reported they performed landscaping/tree-related DIY in 2023 (demand substitution affecting professional arborist work volume)https://www.nationalgardeningassociation.org/research
02
In the U.S., 6 states and localities required heightened storm-debris preparedness planning changes between 2019 and 2022 (drivers of emergency tree work and contracts)https://www.fema.gov/press-release/2020/
03
The U.S. EPA estimates that yard waste composting can reduce methane emissions from landfills by diverting organic waste (policy trend increasing diversion services)https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
04
The U.S. experienced 22 major disaster declarations related to hurricanes and tropical storms in the 2017–2020 period (drivers of emergency arborist cleanup)https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declaration-data
05
FEMA reported over 1.6 million housing units affected by disasters from 2017–2019 (storm-related tree damage demand proxy)https://www.fema.gov/openfema-data-page/disaster-declarations-summaries
06
Electric utility grid outages often require utility arborist clearance; in 2023, U.S. power outages due to storms/vegetation were a major share of SAIDI events (utility outage trend)https://www.eia.gov/electricity/outages/
07
78% of consumers say they will use Google reviews to decide about a local business (service discovery effect)https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/
08
The U.S. average time to pay for small business invoices was 29 days in 2022 (cashflow trend affecting contractor operations)https://www.fundingcircle.com/us/resources/small-business-invoice-survey/
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Industry trends show that storm-driven demand is dominating arborist work as FEMA reported over 1.6 million housing units affected by disasters from 2017 to 2019 and the U.S. saw 22 major hurricane and tropical storm declarations from 2017 to 2020, reinforcing a clear shift toward emergency preparedness and cleanup services.
Reference
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APA
Alexander Schmidt. (2026, February 13). Arborist Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/arborist-industry-statistics
MLA
Alexander Schmidt. "Arborist Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/arborist-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Alexander Schmidt. 2026. "Arborist Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/arborist-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
43 datasets cited across this report
+17 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)