skyhightree1
ArboristSite Operative
Can everyone tell me where there located and what hourly wage they start there Groundsman off at ? I just wondered how much it varies across the country.
Groundsman wages
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Treeinnovator
ArboristSite Operative
hi, i'm in Miami, FL area
immigrants get $50-60 for 12/hr day.
newbies who can speak english get $7/hr. when they learn to climb it goes to $10/hr. when they grow a pair and stop complaining about red ants it goes all the way to $11/hr.
i include free lunch and drinks (3 items from the dollar menu)
immigrants get $50-60 for 12/hr day.
newbies who can speak english get $7/hr. when they learn to climb it goes to $10/hr. when they grow a pair and stop complaining about red ants it goes all the way to $11/hr.
i include free lunch and drinks (3 items from the dollar menu)
$10 for new guys. A raise to $12 or $15 (even the first day) if they are good or very good. $20 for the select few who push themselves, are good natured, and have their own car and saw.
We have one guy we`ve worked with this year who is dumb as any fence post you`ve ever met. No conversational skills or intellect to speak of, and his idea of finding out if something will fall on him is to go stand under the object and stare upwards until something happens. But... he shows up early with a pickup and a trailer and will happily load branches and scrap and rake all day and then take it all home to home to burn on his land on his own time. He charges $15 an hour. As Mastercard would say: Priceless!
We have one guy we`ve worked with this year who is dumb as any fence post you`ve ever met. No conversational skills or intellect to speak of, and his idea of finding out if something will fall on him is to go stand under the object and stare upwards until something happens. But... he shows up early with a pickup and a trailer and will happily load branches and scrap and rake all day and then take it all home to home to burn on his land on his own time. He charges $15 an hour. As Mastercard would say: Priceless!
skyhightree1
ArboristSite Operative
Thats the going rate around here in Va. I pay them 10 an hour and depending on there skills it goes up but I start them off at 10. I think thats fair in my opinion.
ASD
Addicted to ArboristSite
newbies $12.50 bad a$$ ground men $20
but if it is a prevailing wage job $38.30 including Benny's and a climber is $38.55
but if it is a prevailing wage job $38.30 including Benny's and a climber is $38.55
skyhightree1
ArboristSite Operative
I just want to be fair I know everything cost alot these days and I want to pay my guys enough to survive. One guy complained to me that I could pay him more if I wanted too he pointed to my equipment and said you have these things so you know you can pay me more and then I told him I pay him according to his worth to me as a employee he didnt like that too much. Then I told him what you employee's don't realize you may see that equipment and think I am rich but its the complete opposite. I told them they don't have to worry about making payments on the stuff.
gr8scott72
Addicted to ArboristSite
Tell him his raise is effective when he is.
skyhightree1
ArboristSite Operative
:agree2:
I'd can him on the spot, or at least read him the riot act. If he's been with you a while he's allowed to talk like that, but if he's a greenhorn, he's getting pretty snotty putting himself ahead of the equipment when in reality your oldest scrap piece of rope might be worth more to the company than him.
BlueRidgeMark
Addicted to ArboristSite
wow
I was in a gas station yesterday that was advertising for clerks.
Ten bucks an hour plus benefits, to start. Good neighborhood, busy place with multiple clerks at all times, so not likely to get robbed.
Groundsmen bust their butts outside in the heat and cold with considerably more risk for the same money and no bennies?
Wow.
:jawdrop:
sharkfin12us
ArboristSite Operative
Groundmans wages
Im here in northeast new jersey.I would say depends on experience.I have one guy i pay 17 an hour.I can trust him with almost every thing.Running saw,not damaging saw or any other equipment.I can leave him on the job and i tell him take your time and give me a call when you are done.I would love to have 2 guys but the way things are now to make decent money for a job i can only have one.Works out for him to.He can make more money working more hours.If i have a guy inexperienced i pay 10 an hour and if he is fast learner go from 10 to 12 dollars an hour in a week or 2.I want some one that is safe in every way.If i have to yell then i dont keep that person.Hope that helps you.
Im here in northeast new jersey.I would say depends on experience.I have one guy i pay 17 an hour.I can trust him with almost every thing.Running saw,not damaging saw or any other equipment.I can leave him on the job and i tell him take your time and give me a call when you are done.I would love to have 2 guys but the way things are now to make decent money for a job i can only have one.Works out for him to.He can make more money working more hours.If i have a guy inexperienced i pay 10 an hour and if he is fast learner go from 10 to 12 dollars an hour in a week or 2.I want some one that is safe in every way.If i have to yell then i dont keep that person.Hope that helps you.
OLD CHIPMONK
ArboristSite Guru
We pay $ 100.00 per day 8 am-3:30 pm . Normally take 3 or 4 short breaks & eat a sandwich during breaks. No complaints of late & everyone does their job. Vacation 1 wk. after first 6 mo. & 2 nd. week at 1 yr. ! Insurance available on co-pay. Slow & steady gets the job done safely. We all want to go home in one piece. We like our people & hope it's mutual. Raises for reliability & knowledge ( quarterly reviews ) . 
skyhightree1
ArboristSite Operative
Thanks for your imput all.. My guys work hard but the :censored: alot of my chains and saws which cost me alot of money. I wondered if thats there way of gettin back at me for not paying more.
frashdog
ArboristSite Operative
Sounds like a good place to work.We pay $ 100.00 per day 8 am-3:30 pm . Normally take 3 or 4 short breaks & eat a sandwich during breaks. No complaints of late & everyone does their job. Vacation 1 wk. after first 6 mo. & 2 nd. week at 1 yr. ! Insurance available on co-pay. Slow & steady gets the job done safely. We all want to go home in one piece. We like our people & hope it's mutual. Raises for reliability & knowledge ( quarterly reviews ) .
460magnumMOD
ArboristSite Lurker
I started working for a local tree company here in CT about a month ago. I came from the construction industry. My boss was going to start me at 15 an hour. About 3/4 the way through the first day he said it would be 17 an hour cash for 2 weeks then 20 once I went on the books. Before the first week was up I had a key to the shop, and he is in the process of setting up a benefits package. He also has another guy who helps out once in a while who doesn't come close to that. But thats because he puts chains in the dirt and can't file them. I do all the saw maintenance, chain sharpening, and grease the machines every morning. I know my boss has enough other stuff to worry about so I do what I can. And there are many things I can't do yet, skill wise, but I pay attention and ask questions. I guess it all depends on the person and how much they're willing to put in.
I started in the tree business this spring. They started me at 10 under the table and then put me at 11 when I went on the books a few weeks later. I guess my company trusted me right away, They had me doing fertilizing my second day by myself. I ended up learning a lot from the guys and asked a lot of questions too. I dragged brush till my brain fell out and always tried to stay busy, I don't like being idle. I just went back to college this week and the guys said they were sad to see me go and I was asked to come back next year by the owner and everyone else. It felt good to have guys in the business for over 20 years tell me I did a good job and worked hard. As I always say, I am not afraid of work. Just get it done. As for next year, I was thinking about asking for 13 dollars. It was hard for the company to get a groundie that was worth anything this summer.
skyhightree1
ArboristSite Operative
Yea, one of my guys thats my lead man I pay him 31 a hour because he can run any piece of equip. you put in front of him. Fixes the saws when broken and takes care of the trucks maint. and or any equip maint.He has been with me for 5 years full benefits package. If business starts to get any worse the other guys will be leaving and used on as needed basis if they want too but he will have plenty to do especially since I am doing more excavation work vs tree work.
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
Wow I would not even work for you for 38 per hour. I would
work for a real business in good standing and safe work practice
for 27.50 per hour + bennies but I can do most everything without
rework and minimal instruction like where is the job etc. You my friend
are a hack illegal harborer that needs escorted out of the country imo.
Last edited:
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
By the way I would not even consider paying less than 11 for a new guy.
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