Arborist Jobs in Illinois

An Arborist, also known as a Tree Surgeon, plays a crucial role in the landscaping industry. They are responsible for maintaining, pruning, and removing trees and shrubs in all settings, from parks and forests to urban and suburban landscapes. Their work often involves diagnosing and treating tree diseases, ensuring their healthy growth, and mitigating potential risks related to tree growth in populated areas. Arborists may also be involved in planning and implementing tree planting initiatives, contributing to landscape design, and offering consultancy services about tree species selection, placement, and care.

Arborists should have a strong knowledge of tree biology and the skills to use specialized equipment safely. Critical thinking, good physical health, and detail orientation are essential, as the work often involves problem-solving and attention to minute details. Certifications like Certified Arborist (CA) from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) are advantageous and often required. Before becoming an Arborist, a person might have roles such as a Groundskeeper, a Landscape Technician, or a Tree Care Specialist, where they would gain significant experience and knowledge of plant care, landscaping, and horticulture.

1-15 of 18 Jobs

Arborist

  • Lake Forest, IL
  • 6 days ago
  • Lake Forest, IL
  • 6 days ago

ISA Certified Arborist a plus. We will pay for the cost of the exam and help you prepare if you are not already certified....

Inventory Arborist/Environmental Technician Elmhurst, IL

  • Elmhurst, IL
  • 16 days ago
  • Elmhurst, IL
  • 16 days ago

dynamic employee capable of providing a full array of urban forestry, horticultural, ecological stewardship, lakeshore, ravine, stream bank, bluff restoration as well as traditional landscape maintenance...

Arborist Trainee Internship (2025) East Dundee, IL

  • East Dundee, IL
  • 18 days ago
  • East Dundee, IL
  • 18 days ago

We are currently looking to add a dynamic Climbing Arborist Trainee to our passionate team of tree care professionals. Your office is outdoors, and you get a new view every day!...

Arborist Trainee Internship (2025) Naperville, IL

  • Naperville, IL
  • 18 days ago
  • Naperville, IL
  • 18 days ago

We are currently looking to add a dynamic Climbing Arborist Trainee to our passionate team of tree care professionals. Your office is outdoors, and you get a new view every day!...

Arborist Crew Leader

  • Chicago, IL
  • 30+ days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 30+ days ago

Responsibilities As an Arborist Crew Leader, you will play an important role in: Safely performing and supervising all aspects of arboriculture, including: Pruning Cabling and bracing Rigging Removals...

Lawn & Tree Care Technician Lake Bluff, IL

  • Lake Bluff, IL
  • 90+ days ago
  • Lake Bluff, IL
  • 90+ days ago

Qualifications What We're Looking For: Love of the outdoors Preferred: Background in Forestry, Horticulture or Landscaping Preferred: Turf, Weed, Tree and shrub ID, Pathology and knowledge of turf or...

Climbing Arborist Crew Leader Lake Bluff, IL

  • Lake Bluff, IL
  • 90+ days ago
  • Lake Bluff, IL
  • 90+ days ago

We are currently looking to add dynamic Climbing Arborists and Arborist Crew Leaders to our passionate team of landscape professionals. Your office is outdoors, and you get a new view every day!...

Climbing Arborist Trainee Near North Shore (Wheeling), IL

  • Wheeling, IL
  • 90+ days ago
  • Wheeling, IL
  • 90+ days ago

We are currently looking to add a dynamic Climbing Arborist Trainee to our passionate team of tree care professionals. Your office is outdoors, and you get a new view every day!...

Climbing Arborist Trainee Chicago, IL

  • Chicago, IL
  • 90+ days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 90+ days ago

We are currently looking to add a dynamic Climbing Arborist Trainee to our passionate team of tree care professionals. Your office is outdoors, and you get a new view every day!...

Arborist Climber

  • Lake Barrington, IL
  • 20 days ago
  • Lake Barrington, IL
  • 20 days ago

Crew Leader Safely performing all aspects of arboriculture, including: Tree identification Tree risk assessments Pruning Removals Cabling and bracing Root collar excavations Properly maintaining and...

Arborist Climber Trainee

  • Lake Barrington, IL
  • 20 days ago
  • Lake Barrington, IL
  • 20 days ago

Responsibilities As an Arborist Climber Trainee, you will play an important role in: Learning through on-the-job training to safely perform all aspects of arboriculture, including: Tree climbing Pruning...

Arborist Student Workers

  • Springfield, IL
  • 21 days ago
  • Springfield, IL
  • 21 days ago

Assist the Community Outreach Arborist in community outreach to marginalized neighborhoods and implement an educational program....

Grounds - Senior Groundskeeper (Arborist focus)

  • Brookfield, IL
  • 30+ days ago
  • Brookfield, IL
  • 30+ days ago

Horticultural duties include, but are not limited to, care of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, planting, watering, weeding, mulching, propagation, tilling, lawn care, pruning, fertilization, plant...

Inventory Arborist / Environmental Technician Hybrid Role Elmhurst, IL

  • Elmhurst, IL
  • 60+ days ago
  • Elmhurst, IL
  • 60+ days ago

stewardship, lakeshore, ravine, streambank, bluff restoration as well as traditional landscape maintenance to clients in the private and public sectors throughout the Upper Midwest....

Arborist Trainee Internship (2025) Near North Shore (Wheeling), IL

  • Wheeling, IL
  • 60+ days ago
  • Wheeling, IL
  • 60+ days ago

We are currently looking to add a dynamic Climbing Arborist Trainee to our passionate team of tree care professionals. Your office is outdoors, and you get a new view every day!...

Demographic Data for Illinois

Moving to Illinois? Find some basic demographic data about Illinois below.


Local
National
12,812,477
319,486

Arborist Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireLandscaping curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
How to Grow Anything: Make Your Trees and Shrubs Thrive
Discover everything you need to make trees and shrubs a manageable investment. A horticulturist and certified arborist takes you through different landscapes, climates, and seasons to reveal...
Basics of Arboriculture
An individual tree, shrub, vine, or other perennial woody plant is the subject of arboriculture, which encompasses the cultivation, management, and study of these plants. We begin this course by...
Diplopia & Arboriculture Mastery: Vision and Tree Care
Unlock a unique blend of expertise in both vision care and arboriculture with this comprehensive course, designed to cater to healthcare professionals, aspiring arborists, and enthusiasts. This...

Salary for Arborist Jobs in Illinois

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireLandscaping research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Arborist positions.



Highest Education Level

Arborists in Illinois offer the following education background
Bachelor's Degree
38.0%
High School or GED
20.5%
Associate's Degree
15.9%
Vocational Degree or Certification
12.3%
Master's Degree
8.0%
Some College
3.1%
Some High School
1.3%
Doctorate Degree
0.8%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Arborists in Illinois
None
21.5%
10+ years
20.2%
2-4 years
18.2%
Less than 1 year
18.1%
8-10 years
14.5%
1-2 years
5.7%
6-8 years
1.9%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



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