Salary for climbers

D

DrTrees

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone can give me an idea of the salary range ($/hr) for an experienced climber in west coast Canada and US. I am currently looking into a visa application for either Canada/US and would like to know what sort of money I could expect before I take this further.
 
Hello Dr.,

What type of trees are you most proficient in climbing, for what kind of work, and with what kinds of equipment?
What types of west coast insects and diseases are you familiar with?
 
Ok guys, 5 years climbing, all types of pruning, medium to large dismantles by european standards, professional arb qualification.
 
Pretty sure you should be able to find something for at least $25 if not about $35hr depending on crew lead exp
 
I'm thinking that $25/hr. is a fair starting range, if the climber can truly prove that he/she does quality work with a productive and safe pace.

As an employer, that's what would be important to me. Certs are great. Willing to get certs are great too.
 
I worked for Bartlett in San Francisco for a couple years and the pay range for climbers there was $16 for entry level climber up to $30 for an experienced crew foreman.
 
West coast canada here it seems that you can make a better hourly wage with some smaller reputable companies, but more consistent work with better benefits at the larger operations. For your experience 25-30$/hour is a likely ballpark, but there's definitely the possibility for better money in having the right skills and finding the operations that can use those skills.
 
here in detroit, im paying my groundie 13. just to get in the tree as a newbie would be at least 16. maybe New Mexico has a lower standard of living but detroit is pretty cheap, you can buy a house here for $1000 and move in the next day. You might want to ask for a raise!
 
If I were searching. I would want someone who I don't have to train at all. Because training takes time away from me. And I don't like that. In fact, I'd prefere to hire a climber that knows more and has more experience than myself. I would think a well experienced climber should be paid around the $25-$30 dollar/hr mark (minimum). Because if an excellent climber could free up my time, I'd pay for it.
 
I feel that at $30. an hour that a person should have their c.a., a valid c.d.l. with medical examiner's card (current, but that even without superstar climbing status...they should be able to empart their knowledge and train others. Even mediocre climbers can be worth their weight in gold if they bring magic to the table and get others onboard. Whiz
 
I'd be interested to hear more from the climbers out in B.C., don't be shy, let's hear how you guys have it out there!

I work in Ottawa, got my ISA CA a year ago, climbing and grounding for 3 yrs (some bucket exp.), have completed 3 college programs (hort, arb and urban forestry), chainsaw cert, DZ liscence (air brake dump truck), been doing estimates for a year, and running my own crew for about a year. I can do a really nice prune on just about any size tree (we do a lot of high end pruning) but still am not super confident on spurs (slow but haven't broken anything :). We are a younger company (I was the first employee) and my boss' are very good to me. They pretty much give me everything they can afford. I got $20/hr this season and am guaranteed 40hrs/wk until I get laid off for winter. Downside is no dental/medical and no overtime.
 
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would like to know what sort of money I could expect before I take this further.

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As little as they can. I wouldn't put too much weight into the 27 and up range. Keep it real, and you'll most likly see a range of 20 to 25 to start with talk of ways to see more.
 
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would like to know what sort of money I could expect before I take this further.

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As little as they can. I wouldn't put too much weight into the 27 and up range. Keep it real, and you'll most likly see a range of 20 to 25 to start with talk of ways to see more.

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Sounds like reasonable range to start. All depends on experience and production, which will depend in part on your experience with the specific species within an area, including disease issues/ pathogens/ etc.

Ask what you can expect as a ceiling, and what you will have to do to increase your pay.
 
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