Tree work costs and wages in California

Wages in California

Tree trimmers and pruners in California earn a median of $30.07 an hour, or $62,550 a year (BLS, May 2025). Half of them earn between $22.54 and $37.74 an hour, the 25th to 75th percentiles (BLS state file). BLS counts 9,610 of these jobs in California. That's above the national median of $24.50 an hour (BLS).

These are wages, not prices. A contractor's price also covers materials, equipment, insurance, overhead and profit, so a wage can't be turned into what a job costs you. BLS counts employees only, not the self-employed.

Permit fees California sets

Most permits come from your city or county, at fees each one sets. California sets the fees below for permits it issues itself. Check which office covers your address before you apply.

Caltrans encroachment permit for tree trimming or removal on a state highway

$181 an hour. Only for work in a state highway right of way. (California Department of Transportation, checked October 2, 2026)

Companies in California

California has 3,264 tree service companies listed, and 2,703 of them hold an active USDOT registration. Of the counties with pages of their own, the largest are Los Angeles County (497), San Diego County (324), Orange County (200), Santa Clara County (179) and Riverside County (176). Browse them by county, or ask for quotes and we'll pass your job to companies near you.

Tree work rules in California

All California rules and sources

National price ranges

National price ranges for tree work, each credited to its source, are in How much does tree removal cost?

For a planning range on your own job, run the estimator.