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Tree Planting Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Watershed Environmental Supervisor

Laurel, MD · On-site

$116K - $120K/yr

Oversees planting of seedlings and/or saplings as part of ongoing watershed reforestation efforts ... Updates Forestry Management plans and Recreation Area Tree Care Plan * Contracts and supervises the ...

Landscaper

Washington, DC

$17 - $21.25/hr

... Provide tree maintenance, including pruning, staking, and removal of dead or damaged wood. 2. ... plants, or property damaged during operations. 5. Reporting and Scheduling: o Identify and ...

Landscaper

Washington, DC · On-site

$29.21/hr

... Provide tree maintenance, including pruning, staking, and removal of dead or damaged wood. 2. ... plants, or property damaged during operations. 5. Reporting and Scheduling: o Identify and ...

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Tree Planting information

See Washington salary details

$12

$19

$27

How much do tree planting jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for tree planting in Washington is $19.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.40 and $21.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much money can you make growing trees?

Tree planting jobs typically pay between $10 and $20 per hour, with seasonal or contract positions sometimes offering higher wages. Experienced tree planters or those working for specialized organizations can earn more, especially with certifications or in regions with high demand for reforestation or landscaping projects.

How do I get paid to plant trees?

Tree planting jobs typically pay hourly or per project, with wages varying based on location, experience, and organization. Many positions are seasonal and may require physical fitness and knowledge of planting techniques; some organizations also offer training or certifications. Payment is usually processed through direct deposit or checks after each pay period.

What is tree planting?

Tree planting is the process of transplanting tree seedlings, generally for forestry, land reclamation, or landscaping purposes. It involves preparing the land, selecting appropriate tree species, and planting them in a way that promotes healthy growth. Tree planting helps restore ecosystems, combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, and can provide economic and social benefits to communities. The work is often physically demanding and can be seasonal, depending on climate and planting goals.

What Are Tree Planting Jobs?

Tree planting jobs include a variety of positions related to planting, nurturing, and caring for trees. Most tree planting jobs do not focus exclusively on planting trees. Your duties may also include logging, trimming, or landscaping areas. Common roles include planting seedlings for horticulture, supporting reforestation efforts, or helping landscape a local park. Most tree planting jobs take place outdoors, but you can find a few jobs working with seeds and pots in factory-like settings to prepare them for shipment. Due to the long growing times, many tree planting jobs are seasonal positions. If you want to work with planting trees year-round, you may need to look for a management position.

What is the 10 20 30 rule for tree planting?

The 10-20-30 rule in tree planting suggests that trees should be planted at least 10 feet apart, with 20 feet of clearance from structures, and 30 feet from other trees to ensure healthy growth and reduce competition. This guideline helps tree planters, including those in forestry or landscaping, promote proper spacing for mature trees. Adhering to these distances can improve tree health and safety in planting projects.

What is the difference between Tree Planting vs Arborist?

AspectTree PlantingArborist
CredentialsTypically no formal certification required, but some may have basic horticulture knowledgeRequires certifications like ISA Certified Arborist
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, planting sites, nurseriesOutdoor, urban and rural trees, often consulting or maintenance
Industry UsageLandscaping companies, conservation projectsTree care, pruning, health assessments, consulting

Tree planting focuses on the physical act of planting trees, often with minimal certification, while arborists provide expert tree care, including pruning, health assessments, and consulting, requiring specialized certifications. Both roles work outdoors and are essential in forestry and landscaping industries, but arborists typically have more advanced training and responsibilities.

How much money can you make being a Tree Planter?

Tree planters typically earn between $12 and $20 per hour, with some seasonal positions offering bonuses or higher pay based on productivity. Wages can vary depending on location, experience, and the company, and physical endurance and efficiency are important for maximizing earnings.

What are some common challenges faced by tree planters, and how can they be managed on the job?

Tree planting can be physically demanding, with challenges such as working in remote areas, variable weather conditions, and repetitive tasks that can lead to fatigue. To manage these challenges, it's important to maintain proper hydration, use correct lifting and planting techniques to avoid injury, and wear appropriate gear for protection against weather and terrain. Many crews foster a supportive team environment, encouraging frequent breaks and open communication to ensure everyone stays healthy and motivated throughout the planting season.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Tree Planter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tree Planter, you need physical stamina, attention to detail, and basic knowledge of silviculture and reforestation practices, usually gained through on-the-job training. Familiarity with GPS devices, planting tools, and safety equipment is often required. Strong teamwork, self-motivation, and resilience in various weather conditions are standout soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure efficient, high-quality planting that supports forest regeneration and meets environmental standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Tree Planting jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Tree Planting jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Tree Planting jobs in Washington? For Tree Planting jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Tree Planting jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Tree Planting jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Tree Planting jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Tree Planting job openings:
Infographic showing various Tree Planting job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Temporary. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,526 per year, or $20 per hour.
Athletic Field Maintenance Specialist - CDL (10612, Grade HL5)

Athletic Field Maintenance Specialist - CDL (10612, Grade HL5)

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission

Riverdale Park, MD • On-site

$43K - $76K/yr

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Maryland-National Capital Park And Planning Commission rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

384th of 649 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Description THIS IS RE-ADVERTISEMENT. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT REAPPLY. Do you have experience in Athletic Fields and are interested in joining an award-winning program to continue your professional growth.

Are you a team player and enjoy working in a position with varied work responsibilities. Do you love sports and are interested in an opportunity improve athletic fields. The Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation Southern Region Parks Division seeks an experienced Athletic Field Specialist-CDL (Principal Parks/Facilities Maintenance Worker-CDL) to work within our Athletic Field Program working in the Bock Road Maintenance Facility in Fort Washington, Maryland.

This position will perform Athletic Field maintenance and renovation tasks in our parks throughout the southern portion of Prince Geore's County for community passive and active recreation to support our mission for healthy lifestyles for our community involving considerable responsibility, complexity, and variety. The successful candidate will perform a variety of athletic field management tasks such as mowing, lining, pest scouting and control, infield grooming, aeration, seeding, and nutrient management which may include equipment operations such as tractors, skid loaders, mowers, infield groomer, aerators, spreaders, sprayers, and other large equipment working in a team environment. This is the expert level in park/general maintenance work involving all types of equipment, difficult specialized assignments, and directing and training other workers in maintenance procedures and practices.

The successful candidate will perform work of increasing difficulty and responsibility to develop and improve skills. Incumbents in this class are regularly given independent work assignments but may work as part of a group. Performs other related duties as assigned.

This position will have a work schedule of Tuesday-Saturday from 6:00 am - 2:45 pm but maybe subject to change based on program needs. Please note that the above salary range represents earning potential. The budgeted salary range is $42,135 - $58,379.

All applicants to this job posting will be considered for this and future Park/General Maintenance Worker III - CDL job openings for 6 months or until all qualified candidates have been exhausted from this job posting, whichever comes first. At that time, a new job posting may be available for application to future openings. Examples of Important Duties Operates trucks, truck and trailer combination, front-end loader, backhoe, dump trucks with plows, bucket trucks, trash trucks, and tank trucks, spreaders, and sprayers.

Operates complex equipment and vehicles. Performs routine safety inspection and maintenance of vehicles and equipment. On a regular basis (more than 50% of the time), it provides general direction and instructions on proper procedures and safety to a small work group.

Informs the Leader or Supervisor of job progress and completion and any problems requiring attention. May collect and/or enter data into daily reports and work order completion. Assists with training seasonal staff.

Performs complex athletic field maintenance with large tractor operation with attachments to mow, aerate, seed, or fertilize athletic fields. Cuts and lays sod and other landscaping duties. Operates tree spade to plant trees, shrubs, and plants, according to established standards.

Trims and prunes trees and shrubs. Operates large equipment which requires expert knowledge for athletic field renovation to include grading, soil modifications, sod installation, watering, nutrient management and pest control on both cool and warm season turfgrass. Inspects athletic fields for playground safety hazards, surface safety, and surrounding areas, develops work orders for improvements and approves completion of projects for detailed work involving sensitive measurements field layout per industry standards.

Performs tree maintenance duties. Positions bucket truck and sets outriggers. Trims and fells trees.

Operates chain saws. Operates ropes from ground level to assist Tree Climber in cutting down trees. Raises and lowers equipment.

Lowers tree limbs with ropes. Operates chipping machine to grind brush into mulch. Operates stump grinder to remove tree stumps.

Perform pest identification for Integrated Pest Management for organic and conventional pesticide applications and record keeping. Conducts Park inspections for safety and submits detailed reports to supervisor for maintenance prioritization and resource allocation. Inspections.

Makes recommendations for Americans with Disability Act access improvements. Reports on unsafe or hazardous conditions of park facilities and amenities. Assists in setting up, monitoring, and taking down Commission programs and rental events.

Inform visitors of rules and regulations. Opens and closes Commission facilities. Interacts with visitors daily in a courteous and effective manner.

Snow removal and other related weather duties. Important Work Characteristics: Considerable knowledge of work procedures, steps, tasks and techniques for standard (1) groundskeeping including turf and trail maintenance; (2) landscaping; (3) building maintenance; (4) safety techniques, procedures and requirements; (5) cleaning agents, procedures and equipment; (6) pesticide and fertilizer applications; (7) automobile and equipment maintenance; (8) basic methods and procedures for skilled trades support work (i.e., HVACR, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, painting, welding); and (9) Commission organization, policies and procedures. *Knowledge is typically acquired or fully developed by on-the-job training in this job class

Skill and ability to (1) operate automotive and heavy power equipment including trucks, truck and trailer combinations, farm tractors with attachments, bucket trucks with attachments (plows, graders), trash trucks, dump trucks, tank trucks, bobcats, front-end loaders, tree spades, turf rollers, backhoes, dozers, and truck or vans with trailers; (2) apply pesticides and fertilizers requiring certification; (3) operate hand and power tools, chainsaws, and power saws, woodchippers, push and riding mowers, tractors with attachments, trucks or vans with trailers; (4) apply basic skilled trade practices safely and effectively; (5) operate various computerized software programs; (6) provide courteous service; and (7) perform First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED). Skill in problem solving to select, organize, and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical, or abstract) to solve a problem. Examples include measuring dimensions for construction of flower beds; repairing picnic tables and fences; and selecting the appropriate attachments to rake, drag and grade athletic fields.

Skill in communication to understand verbal and written information (including facts, descriptions and ideas) and to express such information so that others will understand. Examples include reading and writing routine reports and correspondence; understanding blueprints, plans, and diagrams; and explaining safety and work procedures to work crews. Interpersonal skills to interact effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships as a member of a team.

Preferred Qualifications Two years of experience in athletic field or grounds maintenance industry in relation to turf and infield maintenance, safety inspection, and renovation. Knowledge of technology to perform inspections and enter data into portable electronic equipment. Ability to use Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Experience with hand tools for athletic field maintenance include compact drills, wrenches, impact drills, heat tools, and pressure washers. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED). Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in groundskeeping, building maintenance or park maintenance.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years. Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of their position.

Pass Commission medical examination. Depending upon the area of assignment, some positions in this class require within 12 months of hire (a) Commercial driver's license (CDL) with appropriate endorsements; (b) obtainment of certifications including: Supplemental Information Class/Specification: Principal Parks/Facilities Maintenance Worker III-CDL Primarily works outside but may work inside on occasion or as assigned. May work weekends, evenings and holidays.

Occasionally exposed to inclement weather, dirt, waste, odors, caustic chemicals, pesticides, wildlife and potentially harmful insects (e.g., bees, hornets, wasps) and plants (e.g., poison ivy). Ability to occasionally lift up to 100 pounds and regularly up to 50 pounds. May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor. Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1) M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.


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