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Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker

All About Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Position Description 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.

Daily Life Of a Landscaping & Groundskeeping Worker

  • Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.
  • Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.
  • Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
  • Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
  • Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment.
  • Care for artificial turf fields, periodically removing the turf and replacing cushioning pads or vacuuming and disinfecting the turf after use to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Skills Needed to be a Landscaping & Groundskeeping Worker

When polled, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Types of Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker

  • Interior Plant Caretaker
  • Land Clearer
  • Weed Cutter
  • Groundskeeping Yardman
  • Grounds Keeper

Job Outlook for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 1,197,900 jobs in the United States for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 135,200 new jobs for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker by 2026. The BLS estimates 163,000 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Landscaping & Groundskeeping Worker are Utah, Washington, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Vermont, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Landscaping & Groundskeeping Worker Salary

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers make between $20,760 and $44,670 a year.

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Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers who work in Alaska, Massachusetts, or Washington, make the highest salaries.

How much do Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $26,340
Alaska $39,050
Arizona $28,730
Arkansas $25,500
California $34,510
Colorado $33,940
Connecticut $36,700
Delaware $30,690
District of Columbia $37,190
Florida $27,610
Georgia $28,900
Hawaii $34,070
Idaho $29,070
Illinois $31,740
Indiana $27,820
Iowa $29,760
Kansas $30,320
Kentucky $28,010
Louisiana $26,040
Maine $31,990
Maryland $32,870
Massachusetts $38,090
Michigan $29,670
Minnesota $35,970
Mississippi $25,920
Missouri $31,400
Montana $30,560
Nebraska $30,690
Nevada $29,850
New Hampshire $32,230
New Jersey $32,700
New Mexico $27,930
New York $34,820
North Carolina $28,130
North Dakota $33,680
Ohio $29,070
Oklahoma $26,990
Oregon $33,620
Pennsylvania $30,120
Rhode Island $33,850
South Carolina $27,400
South Dakota $27,720
Tennessee $27,030
Texas $28,170
Utah $29,510
Vermont $33,740
Virginia $30,000
Washington $36,910
West Virginia $25,030
Wisconsin $31,800
Wyoming $32,880

Tools & Technologies Used by Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Windows
  • IBM Notes

How do I Become a Landscaping & Groundskeeping Worker?

Learn what Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker education requirements there are.

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker might also be interested in the following careers:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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