salary / benefits?

[treeman82]

Hi guys, I was just curious... I know that salary #'s will vary from region to region. But I was wondering what kinds of packages are put together for employing ground workers, spray techs, and climbers? Basically medical, 401K, paid sick days, etc.... what is the standard for relatively small companines?

 

[NickfromWI]

Here's what i've been getting.....

My first official tree job 1.5 years ago, I, as a climber who did a lot of ground work, was making 11.75/hour. Also, 401k (didn't kick in till after the first year), full medical and dental. Banked hours also- meaning for all overtime hours, i was paid time and a half AND another half was put in a bank to be paid back to me in the winter time, at my discretion. I also recieved a clothign allowance of about 15.00/week (don't sound like much, but adds up quickly for new boots or nice winter gloves).
Now, since going back to school (I just graduated in december...I am now a college graduate!!!! If you'd like to read my Senior Thesis Project, just let me know, I'll send you a copy!). I work part time (soon to be full time when the weathers ready) and I am making 15.00/hr. No other benefits other than a great boss that lets me take my time to do the job safely. I push me more than he does. And he just bought me a new saw and a TON of gear at TCI. So, I'm happy.

So hows that?

love
nick

 

[ORclimber]

salarys are all over the board in the NW. for legitamate companies climbers usually top out at 17-20 hr. Spray guys less maybe 16hr max. 401k's if available, are all over the board to, from whatever the employee puts in, to matching a percentage of contributions. Medical, if provided, is usually just for the employee.

I think the best pay and benefits are going to the union utility tree trimmers. Forman's pay now 23 hr, medical dental for whole family, 3.40hr into retirement. Some smaller utilities pay their trimmers lineman wages $27 hr. Those numbers ought to raise some hackles.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

The ROW guys are on union scale, if you want that, go do the work.

I know some small company guys making 25/hr. A number of companies have major medical and dental. Most of the micro companies have squat so the guys rely on thier wives job. It does allow negotiating a better wage though.

My experiance is that the groundie type person is more interested in wage then any other benefit. When all you get is a pitiance, you need to think about rent and food before savings and medicine

 

[TREETX]

Groundies - $10-$12 no dead heads

Climbers - $15 - $18 must have own saddle

Benefits - free beer on Fridays

Lunch is paid for too - that is if we take one.

So many south of the border labor and climbers keep wages low.