Tree care · IA

Tree care costs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only

How this market compares

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has its own Tree care labor market; here is what the BLS numbers say before you chase bids. Mean hourly pay here sits about 20% below the national OEWS mean.

Among 192 OEWS areas with published Tree care wages, Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks #162 nationally on mean hourly pay ($21.53). Inside IA, that is rank 1 of 2 published areas. The published p10–p90 band runs $10.26 to $32.95 (a $22.69 spread around the $21.53 mean; median $20.23).

OEWS counts about 160 Tree Trimmers and Pruners jobs in this area. Nationwide that occupation is about 55,160. How a few common projects pencil out against the national mid: Tree Trimming (residential) mid estimate $218 here vs $267 U.S. (18% below).

Nearby / same-state markets worth checking: Ames; Cedar Rapids; Davenport-Moline-Rock Island.

Mean hourly wage
$21.53
Median hourly
$20.23
p10 – p90
$10.26 – $32.95

Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.

Sample project ranges

ProjectLowMidHigh
Tree Trimming (residential)$41$218$756

What usually moves the number

Rebates (verify; don’t trust a random Facebook ad)

Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project. Start with IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE.

Getting quotes without the circus

  1. Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
  2. Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
  3. Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.
What this estimate can’t tell you. Roof pitch, an old house or code upgrades, tough access, permits, emergency or after-hours calls, and brand tier can push a real quote outside this range.

Check our math

BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses

Tree care (37-3013)$21.53/hr mean

Source: official BLS OEWS data for this area · area index: oessrcma.htm.

Contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) and the regional materials factor are ours — see methodology.

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Gear people often ask about

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Thermostats

A decent thermostat won’t fix a bad install, but it can stop the short-cycling arguments.

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Water heaters

Tank, tankless, heat-pump — the sticker price is only half the story.

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Warranties & financing

Read the exclusions. “Full coverage” rarely means what the brochure implies.

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Monthly wage & cost note

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