Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

What you'd actually do

• Gather and remove litter.
• Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
• Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
• Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
• 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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Less than high school. Overall preparation: little or no preparation (Job Zone 1 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; much of the day is spent working solo. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 19.7% of landscaping and groundskeeping workers are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on and organized and detail-focused.

Related careers

• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
• Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
• Building Cleaning Workers, All Other
• Pest Control Workers
• Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
• Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other

Quick questions

How much does a landscaping and groundskeeping worker make?

The median pay is $18.82 per hour — roughly $39,000 a year, with the real range running from about $14.98/hr (10th percentile) to $27.28/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a landscaping and groundskeeping worker?

The typical entry-level education is: Less than high school. Overall preparation level: little or no preparation (Job Zone 1 of 5).

What does a landscaping and groundskeeping worker actually do all day?

Gather and remove litter. Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes. Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.