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Landscaping Services
BrightView, TruGreen, The Davey Tree Expert Company
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
These workers keep lawns, shrubs, trees, and outdoor property in shape by mowing, trimming, raking, hauling debris, and applying plant-care products when needed. The job is hands-on and equipment-heavy, with some days focused on careful pruning or chemical application and others on heavy cleanup or machine work. The tradeoff is simple: it is easy to enter and there are lots of openings, but the pay is modest and the work is physically demanding in all kinds of weather.
Also known as Landscape LaborerGroundskeeperGrounds Maintenance WorkerLawn Care TechnicianLandscape Technician
Median Salary
$38,090
Mean $40,880
U.S. Workforce
~943K
158.2K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.6%
1192.5K to 1235K
Entry Education
No formal educational credential
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~943K workers, with a median annual pay of $38,090 and roughly 158.2K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 1192.5 K in 2024 to 1235K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with No formal credential + short-term on-the-job training, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Landscape Laborer and can progress toward Grounds Maintenance Manager. High-value skills usually include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, and Riding Mowers, Trimmers & Blowers, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Speaking, and Active Listening.
Core Responsibilities
- Mow, edge, and trim lawns so outdoor spaces look clean and even.
- Rake leaves, spread mulch, and handle yard waste or compost.
- Prune trees, shrubs, and hedges with hand tools or power cutters.
- Mix and apply fertilizers, weed killers, or insect treatments to plants and turf.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Mow, edge, and trim lawns so outdoor spaces look clean and even.
02 Rake leaves, spread mulch, and handle yard waste or compost.
03 Prune trees, shrubs, and hedges with hand tools or power cutters.
04 Mix and apply fertilizers, weed killers, or insect treatments to plants and turf.
05 Operate mowers, tractors, blowers, snow equipment, and other outdoor machines.
06 Pick up litter, move debris, and secure young trees to support stakes.
Industries That Hire
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Facilities Services
Sodexo, ABM Industries, Aramark
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Commercial Property Management
CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield
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Hospitality and Resorts
Marriott International, Four Seasons, Disney Parks
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Municipal Parks and Public Works
NYC Parks, Chicago Park District, Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get started without a degree, and BLS says the usual training is short-term on the job.
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There are a lot of openings: the occupation is projected to add about 158.2 thousand annual openings even with only 3.6% growth.
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The work is very hands-on, so you can see the result of your effort the same day in cleaner lawns and healthier plants.
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The job uses a wide mix of equipment, from mowers and trimmers to sprayers and snow blowers, which keeps the work varied.
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It can lead to crew leadership or grounds supervision if you learn the tools, stay reliable, and build experience.
Challenges
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The pay is not high for hard physical work: the median annual wage is $38,090 and the mean is only $40,880.
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The job is tough on the body, with lots of lifting, bending, kneeling, and hours on your feet.
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Weather can make the day miserable or cut work short, and seasonal demand can affect hours and stability.
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The long-term career ceiling is limited unless you move into supervision, specialized turf care, irrigation, or equipment work.
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You work around sharp tools, chemicals, and powered machines, so mistakes can be costly and sometimes dangerous.
Career Progression
Landscape Laborer
0-1 years
$29K-$34K
Starts with basic cleanup, hauling, mowing, and material-handling work while learning equipment safety and crew routines.
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker
1-3 years
$35K-$44K
Handles regular mowing, trimming, pruning, and treatment tasks with less supervision; this is the core job tier and the salary band includes the occupation's median of $38,090.
Crew Leader THIS ROLE
3-6 years
$45K-$54K
Leads a small crew, assigns tasks, checks quality, and keeps projects moving on schedule.
Landscape Supervisor
6-10 years
$55K-$67K
Oversees multiple crews or accounts, plans schedules, handles client issues, and makes sure equipment and supplies are ready.
Grounds Maintenance Manager
10+ years
$68K-$82K
Manages budgets, staffing, safety, and long-term maintenance plans for large properties or multiple sites.
Education Paths
No formal credential + short-term on-the-job training
This is the most common entry route; 39.15% of workers have less than a high school diploma, and BLS says no formal educational credential is typically required.
Post-secondary certificate in landscaping, turf care, or horticulture
A practical classroom route for the trade, and 31.2% of workers in the occupation report a post-secondary certificate.
Bachelor's degree in horticulture, landscape management, or turf science
A smaller path into the field, used more often for supervisor-track or specialty roles; 18.33% of workers report a bachelor's degree.
Commercial landscaping or pesticide-applicator certification
This is a realistic alternative for people who want to learn the job quickly and prove they can work safely with equipment and plant-care chemicals.
Key Skills
Technical
Operation and Control 62%
Operations Monitoring 55%
Riding Mowers, Trimmers & Blowers 54%
Sprayers, Spreaders & Lawn Care Chemicals 52%
Pruning Tools, Chainsaws & Hand Tools 51%
Tractors, Snow Blowers & Utility Vehicles 49%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningCoordinationTime ManagementJudgment and Decision Making Job Outlook and Trends
+3.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
158.2K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 1192.5K to 1235 K over the next decade, representing 3.6% growth. Around 158.2 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.