Tree Trimmers and Pruners salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Tree Trimmers and Pruners in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $47,720 a year ($22.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,130 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $50,960. Pay here is 24% lower than the California statewide median of $62,550. There are 1.2 tree trimmers and pruners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tree trimmers and pruners in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| 25th percentile | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Median | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| 75th percentile | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Average (mean) | $57,210 | $27.51 |
Half of tree trimmers and pruners earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,976.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,988.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,835.38 |
| Weekly | $917.69 |
| Hourly | $22.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Tree Trimmers and Pruners salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $75,980 | 990 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $73,570 | 190 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $63,630 | 650 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $63,530 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,500 | 800 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $63,410 | 710 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $61,990 | 200 |
| Modesto, CA | $61,270 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $60,440 | 3,150 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,260 | 1,270 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $60,080 | 120 |
| Salinas, CA | $60,070 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $59,990 | 220 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $50,190 | 70 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,160 | 80 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $43,570 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for tree trimmers and pruners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $77,460 |
| Oregon | $75,440 |
| New Jersey | $71,940 |
| Illinois | $64,450 |
| Washington | $63,850 |
| California | $62,550 |
| Massachusetts | $62,550 |
| New York | $62,400 |
| Vermont | $62,170 |
| Missouri | $61,140 |
See Tree Trimmers and Pruners pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $40,780 | $19.61 |
| Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $69,770 | $33.54 |
| Pest Control Worker | $50,440 | $24.25 |
More: Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 37-3013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tree trimmers and pruners make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for tree trimmers and pruners in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $47,720 a year, or $22.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tree trimmers and pruners make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of tree trimmers and pruners in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $84,130 a year. The top 25% earn $65,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for tree trimmers and pruners in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,380 a year, and a quarter of tree trimmers and pruners earn $46,410 or less.
How many tree trimmers and pruners work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 110 tree trimmers and pruners are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.