What Does it Take to Be a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker?
Career 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
- 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.
- Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses used on the fields.
- Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.
- Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.
- Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
- Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.
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What Every Landscaping & Groundskeeping Worker Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers say are important on the job.
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.
Other Landscaping & Groundskeeping Worker Job Titles
- Landscaper Helper
- Landscaper
- Utility Worker
- Lawn Service Worker
- Maintenance Aide
Landscaping & Groundskeeping Worker Job Outlook
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 163,000 job openings in this field each year.

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 Average Salary
The salary for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers ranges between about $20,760 and $44,670 a year.

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers who work in Alaska, Massachusetts, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in different U.S. states.
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 |
What Tools do Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Windows
- IBM Notes
Becoming a Landscaping & Groundskeeping Worker
What education is needed to be a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker?

What work experience do I need to become a Landscaping & Groundskeeping Worker?

Where do Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Work?

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers work in the following industries:

Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker may also be interested in:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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