income

macswan

macswan

Been here a while
Location
Champlain Valley, VT
Hello, I am new to the forum, and have a question. I am an ISA certified arborist with over four years experience. I am a climber and foreman for a small company near Burlington VT. I have taken EHAP and am just beginning the CTSP course. I attend conferences and other classes regularly. I genuinely love my work and it shows. I am also supporting a family and am trying to make sure this is a financially viable career. Can anyone give me an idea of what a person in my position should expect to be making right now and in the future. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
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Hard to say without knowing local market, your abilities and disabilities (we all have em) etc. etc. A comment from NYC, or WY, might be misleading.

I once used a sub climber who quit his job after he got his CA cert, unsatisfied with the pay bump that was offered. It was not a long or a good day. He wound up going back to that job. You're on a good ed. path, in what is for most folks I know a very viable career.
 
You have a family - put them first!

Not much of a fan of contract climbing as an employer. Kinda breaks quite a few laws unless it is set up exactly right. A climber can never be truly independent can he/she?

IMO, your value should determine your rate. Certifications do not really cut it. I can "know" stuff, but can I "do" stuff? I know many people that swing the scale one way or the other when it should be a balancing act. Communication, some degree of management ability are added value to your employer. Not to mention, when doing gets tougher as you get older, you need to make sure you are equipped to cope with the new order of life.

IT IS A GREAT PROFESSION!!!
 
Since every ones market is so different from each corner of the country, I think it's good to have an idea of what other trades are being paid. What is a 1st yr welder getting paid compared to a 4th yr welder/carpenter/electrician. This should give you a base to start from.
 
Wildly specific info--I wonder how big and reliable their sample was?

Topping out at $45k? Could be worse, but salary is not all there is. My old man (who kept a LOT) used to say "It's not how much you make; it's how much you keep."
 
TCIA has a yearly wage survey. If you contact them, they may give you industry insight to your questions..

From an old guy to a young guy...put your family first...do what you love...make an honest living...sometimes we can't do them all at the same time, but do each one whenever you can.

Best Wishes!
 
Good info!

I think a starting salary for an arborist is usually between $25-30K.

And after maybe 5-10 years that may move up to around $40K.

$20-$30 an hour is about top pay, isn't it?

Of course owning your own business would be another ballpark, could give or take from the above.
 
Every market is different. It seems that foremen in nh/vt make betwwen 18-22 hour with benefits. Rockstars get paid more. How much you make annually is based off of how much you work. 40/50k a year should be easy for a foreman. Good luck!
 
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