Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

People in this field spend their days outdoors maintaining properties, lawns, and athletic fields. Their daily tasks are highly physical and include mowing grass, laying sod, trimming plants, digging, and installing sprinkler systems or mortarless concrete walls. They operate and control various vehicles, mechanized devices, and power equipment, which requires inspecting their tools regularly to ensure safe operation.

This work fits best with individuals who have realistic interests and enjoy hands-on, practical activities. Success in this role requires strong skills in operation and control, active listening, and coordination. Workers must communicate effectively with supervisors and peers to coordinate their daily tasks. They need to be dependable, pay close attention to detail, and show perseverance when working in challenging outdoor conditions. Knowing about customer service, mechanical systems, and building and construction helps workers perform their duties safely and efficiently.

To enter this career, workers typically need no formal educational credential. Most people prepare for the job with a high school diploma and some on-the-job training or previous experience. For those who wish to study the field in college, related majors include Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services, as well as Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management.

While not always required, professional certifications can help workers advance. Available credentials include the Certified Grounds Technician from the Professional Grounds Management Society, the Certified Irrigation Technician from the Irrigation Association, and several WaterSense certifications from the Environmental Protection Agency for irrigation auditing, design, installation, and maintenance. Additionally, some states list a license for this work, so requirements vary by location.

In 2025, the median annual pay for landscaping and groundskeeping workers was $39,150. The lowest 10% of earners made less than $31,150, while the highest 10% earned more than $56,730.

Employment in this field is projected to grow by 4.7% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. Because of the large size of this workforce, which employs 952,640 people, there are about 149,500 job openings projected each year.