What Does A Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

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.

Salary
$33800
Becoming One
Very Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

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.

  • Gather and remove litter.
  • Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedges or brush trimmers, or axes.
  • Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain-saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
  • Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers gather and remove litter. They provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.

A typical day for a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker will also include:

  • Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain-saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
  • Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedges or brush trimmers, or axes.
  • 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.
  • Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers also advise customers on plant selection or care. They may also water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Landscaping, and Groundskeeping Workers mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders. They might also Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.

In addition, they rake, mulch, and compost leaves.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.

To some Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, it is also their responsibility to attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

High

Is this job meaningful

High

71% said they were satisfied with their job and 62% said they found their job meaningful.


Kelly Bolen
Pine Valley Landscaping, Parker, CO

We have owned a commercial landscaping and lawn maintenance company for 22 years in Colorado.

Our typical day starts at 6:30 am! This is when we arrive at our facility to “load up” equipment for the crews and give direction on what needs to be done at the various job sites. Lawn maintenance work versus landscaping is very different.

The lawn maintenance crew is responsible for mowing, trimming, and blowing both commercial and residential properties on a weekly basis. Bi-weekly they weed planting beds, edge and do spot checks on irrigation to make sure everything is running properly. If repairs are needed, they are documented and scheduled. It seems like an easy process, however, when you are already working full days doing the “regular” work then have to do repairs afterwards, it becomes a long day.

The landscaping crew does mulch replenishment, replaces trees, plants flowers, etc. We have been in business for 22 years so we have the option of “picking and choosing” the jobs we want to take on. We no longer do “new builds”. Meaning, landscaping for new homes. There is a lot of competition for those jobs (and Colorado is growing by leaps and bounds!) and we no longer have the man power to provide services for those outside our existing client list. But we do extremely well with all the existing customers needs. When working for commercial properties we have to keep their buildings looking good so companies want to rent available office space and we happen to live and work in one of the wealthiest counties in the country, so estate care always comes with a lot of “extra” work. Over the 22 years, we have been in business we have figured out our perfect “niche” and who we want to work for.

Our biggest challenge currently is finding competent employees. When our kids were in high school and college we had a steady source of employees from their circle of friends! However, things have certainly changed. Even offering an extremely competitive wage with no experience, high school and college kids don’t want to “work hard”. As it is a seasonal job, with the exception of a couple year round employees, it has been our biggest challenge over the past couple of years.

But we still prevail as Shane and I have no problem working in the field side by side with the crews to make sure services are performed at the highest of standards. Our quality of work speaks for itself as we are a referral based company. We have not had to advertise for Pine Valley Landscaping for over 15 years.

We have found that as long as our quality of service exceeds expectations and we treat the customer with the respect they deserve, then work will always be available. I know it helps for our clients to see Shane or I on site regularly too. But we absolutely love what we do and although we don’t have the largest lawn maintenance and landscaping company in Colorado, we do have the best customer care and work ethic of any company! And that speaks volumes!


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.

It is very easy to get into this career. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Normal working hours (40 hours per week).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

One of the lowest paying jobs.

How much do they make

Average salary

$33800 per year

Average hourly wage

$16 per hour

Entry-level Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $22,800 to $27,060 per year or $11 to $13 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $48,310 $23
Senior (Top 25%) $38,930 $19
Median $31,730 $15
Junior (Bottom 25%) $27,060 $13
No experience (Bottom 10%) $22,800 $11

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Federal Executive Branch $51980 $24.99
Truck Transportation $43330 $20.83
Scientific Research and Development Services $43030 $20.69
Computer Systems Design and Related Services $42470 $20.42
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution $41910 $20.15
Civic and Social Organizations $40820 $19.62
Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction $40560 $19.50
Other Information Services $40200 $19.33
Chemical Manufacturing $39880 $19.17
Specialty Hospitals $39380 $18.93

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Services to Buildings and Dwellings 555470 $33900 $16.30
Local Government 74950 $35820 $17.22
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries 64380 $29560 $14.21
Real Estate 25390 $33210 $15.97
Employment Services 15460 $31220 $15.01
Elementary and Secondary Schools 13450 $38410 $18.47
Death Care Services 13030 $33490 $16.10
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 12860 $36450 $17.53
Traveler Accommodation 8340 $31800 $15.29
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services 7620 $35260 $16.95

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
4%

40 hours
77%

More than 40 hours
18%

Working schedule

46%

53%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
12%

Every day
1%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
34%

Every day
9%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
6%

Every day
66%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
80%

Once a year
15%

Once a month
1%

Once a week
4%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
35%

Slightly competitive
5%

Moderately competitive
28%

Highly competitive
12%

Extremely competitive
19%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
72%

Once a year or more
9%

Once a month or more
10%

Once a week or more
6%

Every day
3%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
60%

Once a year or more
10%

Once a month or more
12%

Once a week or more
4%

Every day
14%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
0%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
1%

Every day
99%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
68%

Once a year or more
13%

Once a month or more
9%

Once a week or more
7%

Every day
3%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Very Easy
You need little to no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category don’t require a degree. However, you may need a few days to a few months of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Waiters, Logging Machine Operators, and Cashiers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
39%

High School Diploma or equivalent
8%

Post-Secondary Certificate
31%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
3%

Bachelor’s Degree
18%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management

A program that prepares individuals to manage the operation of golf courses. Includes instruction in turf grass science and management, golf course design and construction, grounds equipment and operation, pest control, and grounds management.

Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations

A program that focuses on the general production and processing of domesticated plants, shrubs, flowers, foliage, trees, groundcovers, and related plant materials; the management of technical and business operations connected with horticultural services; and the basic scientific principles needed to understand plants and their management and care.

Ornamental Horticulture

A program that focuses on domesticated plants and plant materials used for decorative and recreational applications and prepares individuals to breed, grow, and utilize ornamental plant varieties for commercial and aesthetic purposes. Includes instruction in applicable plant science subjects, the environmental design and artistic aspects of horticultural product usage, and the management of horticultural operations.


Greenhouse Operations and Management

A program that prepares individuals to produce, store, and deliver plant species in controlled indoor environments for wholesale, commercial, research, or other purposes. Includes instruction in applicable principles of plant science; climate, irrigation, and nutrition control equipment operation and maintenance; facilities management; inventory control; safety procedures; and personnel supervision.

Landscaping and Groundskeeping

A program that prepares individuals to manage and maintain indoor and/or outdoor ornamental and recreational plants and groundcovers and related conceptual designs established by landscape architects, interior designers, enterprise owners or managers, and individual clients. Includes instruction in applicable principles of horticulture, gardening, plant and soil irrigation and nutrition, turf maintenance, plant maintenance, equipment operation and maintenance, personnel supervision, and purchasing.

Plant Nursery Operations and Management

A program that prepares individuals to operate and manage outdoor plant farms, tree and shrub nurseries, and related facilities that develop domesticated plant products for propagation, harvesting, and transplantation. Includes instruction in applicable principles of plant science, farm and business management, nursery operations, equipment operation and maintenance, safety procedures, and personnel supervision.


Turf and Turfgrass Management

A program that focuses on turfgrasses and related groundcover plants and prepares individuals to develop ornamental or recreational grasses and related products; plant, transplant, and manage grassed areas; and to produce and store turf used for transplantation. Includes instruction in applicable plant sciences, genetics of grasses, turf science, use analysis, turf management, and related economics.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
17%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
22%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
13%

1 to 2 years
40%

2 to 4 years
1%

4 to 6 years
3%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
3%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
35%

1 month
18%

1 to 3 months
11%

3 to 6 months
4%

6 months to 1 year
13%

1 to 2 years
16%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
1%

Over 10 years
2%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
100%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
43%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
43%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
19%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
38%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
62%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
38%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
43%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
29%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
48%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
43%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
38%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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