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.

Also Known As:

Gardener Greenskeeper Grounds Maintenance Worker Grounds Person Grounds Specialist Grounds Worker Groundskeeper Landscape Specialist Landscape Technician Outside Maintenance Worker

Wages

Hourly

Annual wages for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in United States

Job Outlook Bright

New job opportunities are very likely in the future

United States 2034 Projected Employment

1,235,000

4% Change From 2024

Explore Landscape and Groundskeeping Workers video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

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.
Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.
Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.
Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.
Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment.
Advise customers on plant selection or care.
Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.
Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.
Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.
Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses.
Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.
Decorate gardens with stones or plants.
Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.
Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.
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.
Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.
Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
Haul or spread topsoil, or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.
Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs, and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.
Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.
Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs, and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.
Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.
Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.

Subject areas you may need to master.

Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.