Nick Pott, arbjobs.com
Across the UK, salaries vary greatly depending on the region and the cost of living in different areas. Based on the reported location for the jobs posted on arbjobs.com between 2018 and 2023, we have broken down our data into seven general regions.
The sample includes the regions for which we have the most data. Some areas, like Wales, the south coast and the Isle of Man, have been excluded because the data is insufficient to provide reliable analysis.
Highest-paying and lowest-paying UK regions
Our data showed, unsurprisingly, that arborist salaries are highest in London and the Greater London area, followed closely by the South-East. This coincides with the regional earning metrics at a national level: full-time arborist employees in London and the South are amongst the highest paid across all industries, on average.
Looking at the latest data, we know that arborist salaries across the UK averaged £33,102 in 2023. In the same period, arborist salaries in London and Greater London averaged £35,730, around 7.6% higher than the national figure.
On the other hand, the Northern Counties and the South-West feature in our data as the regions with the lowest average salaries for arborists, followed closely by Scotland. In 2023, the average arborist salary for the Northern Counties (which in our data include the North-East, the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber) came to £31,047, which is 6.4% below the national average for arborist jobs posted on our site.
Trends in arborist salaries by region, 2018–23.
Across all industries
Our arborist data appears to mirror national salary levels across all industries. The following list ranks regions by highest average salary across all industries:
- London: Highest average salaries in the UK. Higher cost of living often justifies higher pay. Average salary (across all industries, 2023): £41,866.
- South-East: Second highest average salaries. Proximity to London and a strong economy contribute to higher wages. Average salary (across all industries, 2023):£36,481.
- East of England: Relatively high salaries due to a mix of industries including technology and finance. Average salary (across all industries, 2023): £35,043.
- Scotland: Varies between urban centres like Edinburgh and Glasgow (higher salaries) and rural areas (lower salaries). Average salary (across all industries, 2023): £32,144.
- North-West: Includes major cities like Manchester and Liverpool with competitive salaries. Average salary (across all industries, 2023): £31,743.
- Wales: Generally lower average salaries compared to England and Scotland. Average salary (across all industries, 2023):£29,063.
Industry and occupation
If we compare arboriculture to construction occupations, we see the salary bands are very similar.
Construction and trade salaries:
- Skilled tradespeople can earn competitive wages.
- Variation based on specific trade and region.
- Average salary for tradespeople: £25,000–£45,000.
Experience and Seniority
Experience and seniority play a crucial role in determining most salaries across the UK:
Entry-level positions:
- Typically lower salaries as employees train and gain experience.
- Average salary: £18,000–£25,000.
Mid-level positions:
- Salaries increase with experience and responsibility.
- Average salary: £30,000–£50,000.
Gender pay gap
In most industries, there remains a notable gender pay gap, with men generally earning more than women on average. Efforts are being made to address this disparity through various initiatives and regulations.
Attracting staff
From the data, it is clear that there are regional imbalances in arborist salaries. Our figures are based on the average – not the highest – salary, so this needs to be considered when retaining or recruiting staff. To attract out-of-area staff it may be prudent to provide at least short-term accommodation as part of the benefits package to encourage staff to relocate or commute.
Data sources
Our data is derived from the arbjobs.com salary figures collated over six years and sources such as the Office for National Statistics (ONS), job market reports and salary surveys conducted by recruitment agencies and other industry bodies.
By understanding these variations, individuals can better navigate their career paths and make informed decisions about where to live and work in the UK.
This article is published courtesy of arbjobs.com and forms part of its detailed salary report which can be accessed using the QR code.
This article was taken from Issue 206 Autumn 2024 of the ARB Magazine, which is available to view free to members by simply logging in to the website and viewing your profile area.