Groundie vs climber pay gap, is it fair in this trade?

I heard a guy at the local supply yard in Dayton say his ground crew makes $16 while climbers start at $28, and he was fine with it because "groundies just drag brush." But in my experience, a good groundie can save a climber's whole day, especially when you're rigging big hangers over a driveway in a tight spot. That pay gap seems wide on paper, but maybe the risk and skill really do justify it. Curious what the rest of you think, is $12 an hour difference about right or are we underpaying the people who keep us from getting hit by a swinging log?

1 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

1 Comment

scott.shane16d ago

Wait, did he really say groundies just drag brush? A good one reads the rigging, spots the lean, and knows when to pull before you even yell. That $12 gap might be about right for the greenhorns, but the ones who keep you alive on a sketchy removal are worth way more than $16.

1