Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

SOC: 37-3011 O*NET: 37-3011.00
Median Salary
$38,090
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
158.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1

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 does a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers do?

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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$29,990
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,250
25th percentile
Median
$38,090
50th percentile
Experienced
$45,870
75th percentile
Top Earners
$53,900
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$29,990
25th
$35,250
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,090
Mean: $40,880
75th
$45,870
90th
$53,900
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $23,910 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $35,250 and $45,870
  • Salary spread is 27.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
  • Total national employment: 943,430 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:1,192,500

Top Industries

Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services63.3%
Administrative and Support Services63.3%
Services to Buildings and Dwellings61.1%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+3.6%
Annual Openings:158,200

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)1,192,500
Current
2034 (Projected)1,235,000
+3.6%
+42,400
Employment Change
+3.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
103,570 jobs$44,3400.94x
Florida
84,250 jobs$36,0301.40x
Texas
68,700 jobs$36,2400.81x
New York
49,430 jobs$44,6900.85x
Ohio
35,340 jobs$37,2401.05x
Illinois
35,120 jobs$43,1200.95x
Pennsylvania
34,310 jobs$37,7700.93x
North Carolina
33,450 jobs$36,8901.12x
Michigan
31,350 jobs$37,9001.17x
New Jersey
28,940 jobs$40,3901.11x
Virginia
25,790 jobs$37,5801.04x
Colorado
22,960 jobs$44,9501.30x
Washington
22,430 jobs$46,2001.04x
Georgia
22,100 jobs$36,8300.74x
Arizona
20,990 jobs$37,9201.07x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Operation and Control
100%

Skills Overview

Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Operation and Control

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials100%
1 shared skills
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment50%
1 shared skills
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders50%
1 shared skills
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors50%
1 shared skills
Floor Sanders and Finishers33%
1 shared skills
Rock Splitters, Quarry33%
1 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Operation and Control

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Operation and Control

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Technology Intensity
Medium

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires intermediate digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Windows

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Facebook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (6)
1

Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Gather and remove litter.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform
8

Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Planning & Development76% perform
10

Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Planning & Development73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value relationships

RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.17

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.15

Self-Control

Important

Self-Control

Importance Level3.93

Cooperation

Important

Cooperation

Importance Level3.92

Dependability

Important

Dependability

Importance Level3.86

Achievement/Effort

Important

Achievement/Effort

Importance Level3.84

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.2
Self-Control
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
Dependability
3.9
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Concern for Others
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.7
Initiative
3.6

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED

Preparation Level

Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:High school diploma or less

These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.

Training:

Short demonstration or on-the-job training

💼 Experience Requirement

Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • On-the-job training is typical
  • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
  • Basic skills development
1

Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed

These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.

On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development

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