Future arborist with questions about career in tree work

[Larch Dark]

Hello,

 

I'm interested in becoming an arborist and would like to ask some questions about becoming a tree surgeon in the UK (specifically Scotland) from people who've been doing this for a while. My idea is to join a well established company and work my way up.. no pun intended.. to becoming a climber.

 

I've been working in the forestry department of an estate for 2 years now, have my chainsaw tickets & first aid certs.

 

-Assuming I start doing ground work, how long will it take to progress to becoming a climber?

-This will obviously vary from company to company & location to location, but what salary can I expect to earn straight away? What is a reasonable expected salary for a climber? Any personal anecdotal salary evidence welcome..

 

I'm interested to hear what people's opinions are compared to this online advice:

 

Google returns an average salary of £20k here - https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Arborist/Salary

£25k here - https://www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs/salaries/arborist

£21k here - https://neuvoo.co.uk/salary/?job=Arborist

 

This site says an entry job is generally ~£15k, going up to £21k. https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/arboriculturist .. Skilled arborists can earn between £25-30k.

 

So... How can I get to earning the higher end of the payscale a.s.a.p?

 

JP

 

[Stubby]

22 minutes ago, Larch Dark said:

Hello,

 

 

 

So... How can I get to earning the higher end of the payscale a.s.a.p?

 

JP

 

Time , experience , and dedication . Most impotently of all .....stay off your phone . 

[jfc]

Company I used to work for (St Andrews) paid £60 a day self employed to groundie. That was with tickets but little experience. Got offered a contract at £19k as a climber with the same company, with about a years climbing experience. For a couple of reasons that didn't work out and I didn't take up the offer.
Subby climbers round here get £110 to £170 a day, dependant on how good you are and how much kit you bring.
Wages are better down south.
Hope that helps.

[Larch Dark]

2 hours ago, jfc said:

Company I used to work for (St Andrews) paid £60 a day self employed to groundie. That was with tickets but little experience. Got offered a contract at £19k as a climber with the same company, with about a years climbing experience. For a couple of reasons that didn't work out and I didn't take up the offer.
Subby climbers round here get £110 to £170 a day, dependant on how good you are and how much kit you bring.
Wages are better down south.
Hope that helps.

Thanks for the reply. Maybe stupid question but what's a subby? Self employed people contracting themselves out?

[eggsarascal]

12 minutes ago, Larch Dark said:

Thanks for the reply. Maybe stupid question but what's a subby? Self employed people contracting themselves out?

MOST of them aren't subbies but, yes. Hiring out your self employed services to another  company.

[averagearborist]

Hello,
 
I'm interested in becoming an arborist and would like to ask some questions about becoming a tree surgeon in the UK (specifically Scotland) from people who've been doing this for a while. My idea is to join a well established company and work my way up.. no pun intended.. to becoming a climber.
 
I've been working in the forestry department of an estate for 2 years now, have my chainsaw tickets & first aid certs.
 
-Assuming I start doing ground work, how long will it take to progress to becoming a climber?
-This will obviously vary from company to company & location to location, but what salary can I expect to earn straight away? What is a reasonable expected salary for a climber? Any personal anecdotal salary evidence welcome..
 
I'm interested to hear what people's opinions are compared to this online advice:
 
Google returns an average salary of £20k here - https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Arborist/Salary
£25k here - https://www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs/salaries/arborist
£21k here - https://neuvoo.co.uk/salary/?job=Arborist
 
This site says an entry job is generally ~£15k, going up to £21k. https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/arboriculturist .. Skilled arborists can earn between £25-30k.
 
So... How can I get to earning the higher end of the payscale a.s.a.p?
 
JP
 

I don't think there is a fast-track option in getting higher pay. Your efficiency on a job will (usually) be reflected in your pay, especially as a climber.

As has been said, putting in time and getting experience is the only way to get quicker, more efficient and more capable.

The 'fastest' way of getting more pay is to work places that enable you to get that experience. Some smaller organisations take on trainees, but larger companies are often more able to absorb the cost of your inexperience and give you opportunity to take part in the more complex aspects of arboriculture (like climbing or lowering operations).

Get good as a groundie, take any and every opportunity to climb. Try to get a team leader who is good and is willing to teach. Watch some legends on YouTube but don't get any funny ideas.

You will be on a pretty low wage for a while, probably. Starting out with a large company as a trainee, £8.50 - £9.50 per hour ish maybe (southern England, outside of London).

[Khriss]

Norway, they pay pretty good, but then you have to be pretty good - I would pick up the books , get up every tree you can at the weekends and if yr still here in a year, get in touch with me, k

[Rich Rule]

Yes you are correct.

 

The pay in Norway is pretty high as are the taxes and cost of living.

 

Horses for courses!

[Topper]

1 hour ago, Rich Rule said:

Yes you are correct.

 

The pay in Norway is pretty high as are the taxes and cost of living.

 

Horses for courses!

X2!!! I was always told it's expensive in Norway but until you’ve been there you have no idea how eye wateringly expensive ??

[stihlmadasever]

Norway is expensive in comparisons but since its pay structure,pension and social security are also high,

it balances out if you are a resident.

Not good for frugally minded on

holiday!