Tree Climber
SavATree
You will be taken to the employer's application page. Listing expires September 5, 2026.
Job Description
Position Summary
As a Tree Climber on our General Tree Care Team, you'll play a vital role in maintaining and preserving the health of our clients' landscapes. A typical day may include:
- Climbing and pruning large shade trees and ornamentals using proper practices
- Performing removals, cable bracing, and other tree care techniques
- Safely operating chainsaws, equipment, and aerial lifts (bucket trucks)
- Working as part of a team to deliver high-quality service to clients
- Applying industry safety standards in all aspects of tree care
This role offers the opportunity to work outdoors, visit beautiful properties in your community, and apply your climbing expertise to protect and enhance landscapes.
About You
You are safety-focused, skilled in climbing, and eager to build your career in tree care. You bring:
- Experience with proper pruning practices for large shade trees and ornamentals
- Ability to identify native and introduced tree/shrub species and their characteristics
- Ability to climb without spurs
- Knowledge of tree care safety standards
- Hands-on experience with chainsaws and related equipment
- Experience operating aerial lifts (bucket truck)
- A valid U.S. driver's license (CDL a plus)
- Authorization to lawfully work in the U.S.
What We Offer
- Compensation: Competitive pay based on experience, skill level, and responsibilities
- Benefits: Health and dental insurance, paid time off, 401(k) Savings Plan, and Flexible Spending Plan
- Time Off: Time off to support your work/life balance
- Career Growth & Development: Extensive training, continuing education, and opportunities to grow your career in arboriculture
- Team & Collaborative Environment: Work with some of the best trained and equipped professionals in the industry, with a focus on safety, quality, and teamwork
Pay range for this position will be $25-$35/hr based on experience
About SavATree
SavATree was founded 45 years ago with a mission to preserve trees threatened by the gypsy moth epidemic. Since then, we've grown into a nationwide leader in tree, shrub, and lawn care services. Unlike companies that focus on removal, our work is rooted in preservation and care. We are a values-driven organization built on teamwork, integrity, respect, and a relentless commitment to making a positive impact. When you join us, you'll find a collaborative, competitive, and caring environment where your contributions matter. As we like to say: When you work here, you thrive here.
Physical Requirements
This role requires the ability to climb, work at heights, and safely lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds while performing tree care tasks.
Equal Opportunity
SavATree is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. We are committed to creating a diverse environment where all employees feel valued and respected.
What Most Tree Removal Job Listings Don't Tell You
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
Tree work does not require a state license in Texas, but the risk is high, so certification and training carry real weight. Many reputable companies want an ISA Certified Arborist on staff and require crews to train on rigging, chainsaw safety, and aerial work. Pay is hourly and climbs fast for climbers and crew leads, since skilled and safe climbers are hard to find. Storm season spikes demand and overtime.
This is one of the more dangerous trades, and new hires learn quickly that safety culture is the difference between a long career and a bad day. You work at height, run chainsaws, and manage heavy limbs with ropes and rigging. Ground crew starts by hauling brush and running the chipper before earning a spot in the tree. Houston storms, hurricanes, and fast-growing species keep the work steady. Anyone who respects the hazard, learns the ropes, and shows up reliably can build real skill and pay in this field.
What to Expect Day-to-Day
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
A crew starts by sizing up the job and setting a plan. You identify hazards, drop zones, and rigging points before a saw ever runs. Ground crew stages ropes and gear, runs the chipper, and keeps the work area clear. The climber or bucket operator works up the tree, making cuts in a controlled order so limbs land safely.
Removals and trims follow different rhythms. A trim shapes the canopy and clears hazards while keeping the tree healthy. A full removal takes the tree down in sections, often with rigging to lower heavy pieces past structures and lines. Stump grinding and cleanup close the job. Communication and constant awareness keep everyone safe, since a miscommunication near a running saw is dangerous. Storm calls add urgency, with crews clearing fallen trees off homes and driveways. Expect heavy physical work, real hazard, and the earned pride of taking down a large tree cleanly and safely.
What Tree Removal Jobs Pay in Houston
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area (Tree Trimmers and Pruners).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area. Median is about $19.07/hr.
Building a Tree Care Career in Texas
Texas does not license tree workers, but this is a high-risk trade where certification carries real weight. Many reputable companies want an ISA Certified Arborist on staff and train crews on chainsaw safety, rigging, and aerial work. Pesticide application for tree health can require a Department of Agriculture license. The path is skill and safety based. You start on the ground, earn trust and training, and move into climbing, then crew leadership, where certified and safe climbers are hard to find and well paid.
Career Ladder and Pay
- 1 Ground Crew $38,750/yr
Haul brush, run the chipper, and manage ropes and the drop zone.
- 2 Climber / Bucket Operator $39,666/yr
Work aloft making controlled cuts with rigging and safety gear.
- 3 Certified Arborist $45,157/yr
Assess tree health, diagnose hazards, and guide pruning and removal.
- 4 Crew Lead / Foreman $45,157/yr
Plan jobs, manage safety, and run the crew on removals and storms.
- 5 Tree Service Owner $45,822/yr
Run a tree care company and manage crews, bids, and equipment.
Licensing paths and timelines are general guidance for this trade in Texas. Confirm current requirements with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or the relevant state agency.
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