Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
SOC Code: 37-3011.00
Building & Grounds CleaningLandscaping and groundskeeping workers maintain the outdoor appearance of residential, commercial, and public properties using a combination of hand tools and power equipment. With a median salary of $38,090, these workers mow lawns, trim shrubs, plant flowers, remove debris, and keep grounds attractive and functional throughout the seasons. This physically active career offers accessible entry and the satisfaction of creating visually appealing outdoor environments.
Salary Overview
Median
$38,090
25th Percentile
$35,250
75th Percentile
$45,870
90th Percentile
$53,900
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+3.6%
New Openings
158,200
Outlook
As fast as average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
- Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
- Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.
- Gather and remove litter.
- Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
- Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
- Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
- Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Less Than High School
Related Careers
Top Career Pivot Targets
View all 12 →Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers.
A Day in the Life
A landscaping worker's day typically starts early in the morning with a crew briefing at the company shop or first job site, loading trucks with mowers, trimmers, blowers, and other equipment. The crew then travels to a series of residential or commercial properties, following a scheduled route that maximizes efficiency. At each stop, workers divide tasks: some operate riding or push mowers across lawns while others edge walkways, trim hedges, and clear debris from beds and hardscapes. Seasonal tasks rotate throughout the year, from spring mulching and planting to fall leaf removal and winter snow clearing in cold climates. Lunch breaks are often taken on-site or at the next property, with the crew maintaining a steady pace to complete the daily schedule. Afternoon work may include irrigation system checks, fertilizer application, or small hardscape repairs. By late afternoon, workers return to the shop, clean and maintain equipment, and prepare vehicles for the next day's route.
Work Environment
Landscaping and groundskeeping work takes place almost entirely outdoors, exposing workers to the full range of weather conditions from summer heat to winter cold. The physical demands are considerable, involving prolonged standing, walking, bending, lifting, and operating vibrating power equipment throughout the day. Workers face occupational hazards including sun exposure, insect bites, allergic reactions to plants, hearing damage from equipment noise, and musculoskeletal strain from repetitive motions. Seasonal variation significantly impacts work availability, with peak activity in spring and summer and reduced hours during winter months in northern climates. Crew dynamics create a team-oriented atmosphere, with workers developing close working relationships as they travel and labor together daily. Work schedules generally follow daylight hours, with early starts in summer and shorter days in winter. The work is inherently active and varied, appealing to individuals who prefer outdoor environments over office settings.
Career Path & Advancement
Most landscaping and groundskeeping positions require no formal education, making this one of the most accessible career entry points available. New workers learn through on-the-job training from experienced crew members and supervisors, picking up proper equipment operation, plant identification, and safety practices. After demonstrating competence and reliability, workers can advance to crew leader positions, directing daily operations and interfacing with clients. Obtaining pesticide applicator certification opens opportunities for higher-paying lawn care specialist and pest management roles. Experienced groundskeepers may pursue landscape technician certifications through organizations like the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Advancement into estimating, sales, or account management roles provides a path away from daily physical labor while remaining in the industry. Entrepreneurial workers frequently launch their own landscaping businesses after accumulating equipment, clients, and operational knowledge over several years.
Specializations
Landscaping workers can develop expertise in several focused areas as they gain experience. Irrigation specialists install, maintain, and repair sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, a skill set that commands premium rates. Arborist assistants specialize in tree care, learning pruning techniques, disease identification, and safe climbing practices alongside certified arborists. Hardscape installers focus on constructing patios, retaining walls, walkways, and outdoor living spaces using stone, pavers, and concrete. Turf management specialists concentrate on lawn health, applying fertilizers, managing weed control programs, and overseeing aeration and overseeding schedules. Some workers specialize in seasonal services like snow and ice management, operating plows and applying deicing materials. Garden maintenance specialists focus on ornamental beds, perennial care, and container plantings for high-end residential clients. Sports turf workers maintain athletic fields, managing specialized grass varieties and playing surface conditions for teams and facilities.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓No formal education or certification required for most entry-level positions
- ✓Active outdoor work that provides physical exercise throughout the day
- ✓Immediate visual results and satisfaction from improving property appearances
- ✓Strong demand for workers in virtually every community and geographic region
- ✓Entrepreneurial opportunity to start a landscaping business with modest capital
- ✓Variety in daily tasks that change with the seasons and client needs
- ✓Team-oriented work culture with camaraderie among crew members
Challenges
- ✗Below-average salary with limited benefits in many small company positions
- ✗Physically taxing work that takes a toll on the body over years
- ✗Seasonal employment fluctuations with reduced hours or layoffs in winter
- ✗Exposure to extreme weather, allergens, insects, and chemical products
- ✗Repetitive tasks that can feel monotonous on routine maintenance routes
- ✗Early morning start times and long days during peak growing season
- ✗Hearing damage risk from prolonged exposure to loud equipment noise
Industry Insight
The landscaping industry is evolving with growing emphasis on sustainable practices including native plantings, pollinator gardens, organic lawn care, and water-conscious design. Battery-powered electric equipment is gradually replacing gas-powered tools as noise ordinances tighten and emissions concerns grow. Robotic mowing technology is emerging for routine lawn maintenance, though complex landscaping tasks continue to require skilled human workers. Labor shortages remain a persistent challenge, driving wages upward and increasing the value of reliable, skilled workers. The outdoor living boom has expanded demand for hardscape installation, outdoor kitchens, and entertainment areas that extend usable living space. Climate change is shifting growing zones and plant selection, requiring workers in many regions to learn new species and maintenance techniques. Smart irrigation technology with weather-based controllers and moisture sensors is becoming standard on commercial and high-end residential properties.
How to Break Into This Career
Getting started in landscaping and groundskeeping is among the most straightforward of any career path. Applying directly to local lawn care companies, landscaping firms, nurseries, and property management companies typically yields quick results, especially during spring hiring season. Municipal parks departments, school districts, golf courses, and cemeteries also employ groundskeeping workers with regular schedules and benefits. No resume is necessary for many entry-level positions, though demonstrating physical fitness, punctuality, and a valid driver's license strengthens candidacy. Offering to work a trial day or starting through a temp agency lets candidates prove their work ethic before formal hiring. Basic familiarity with common lawn mowers, string trimmers, and leaf blowers gives newcomers an advantage during the initial training period. Young adults often enter the field through summer employment, gradually building skills that lead to year-round positions. Bilingual ability, particularly in English and Spanish, is valued in many landscaping operations and can accelerate advancement.
Career Pivot Tips
Many backgrounds prepare individuals for a successful transition into landscaping and groundskeeping work. Construction workers bring familiarity with power tools, physical endurance, and comfort working outdoors in varying conditions. Agricultural workers already understand plant care, soil management, and the rhythms of seasonal outdoor work. Military veterans transitioning to civilian life possess the discipline, teamwork skills, and physical conditioning that landscaping crews value. Retail nursery employees who want to move from selling plants to installing and maintaining them find a natural bridge into the field. Personal trainers and fitness professionals accustomed to physical exertion throughout the workday adapt easily to the physical demands. Former restaurant workers bring experience with early starts, fast-paced team environments, and customer service skills useful for client-facing roles. Career changers seeking outdoor work should recognize that landscaping provides both immediate employment and long-term entrepreneurial potential for those willing to build skills and a client base.
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