Occupation · SOC 37-3011
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.
Median wage
$38,090
$29,990–$53,900
Projected growth
+3.6%
Average growth
Annual openings
4,240
per year
Employed (US)
943,430
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
298 mapped
Core skills
Operation and Control
Knowledge areas
English LanguageCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Web page creation and editing softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareOperating system software
Representative tasks
Gather and remove litter.Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, cMove furniture.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Litter and debris — gather and remove from assigned grounds areas under direct supervisor guidance on a commercial or residential property.Basic hand tools such as rakes, shovels, and brooms — identify and use safely under close supervision during routine site cleanup tasks.Portable sprinkler systems and watering cans — apply water to lawns, trees, and plants following a supervisor's step-by-step watering schedule.Ride-on mowers and walk-behind equipment — operate at a basic level under direct oversight on open turf areas with minimal obstacles.Mulch and edging materials — place and spread around flower beds and walkways according to verbal instructions from a lead worker.Pruning shears and hedge trimmers — use to trim low shrubs and hedges under close supervision, following demonstrated techniques.Fertilizer spreaders — load and push along designated turf areas under direct instruction on a supervised groundskeeping crew.Landscaping design plans — read and interpret simple diagrams to determine sod placement or planting locations with supervisor assistance.Personal protective equipment including gloves, eye protection, and steel-toed boots — select and wear correctly before beginning any outdoor grounds task.Workplace safety protocols — follow established hazard-awareness procedures and report unsafe conditions to a supervisor on an active grounds site.
developing
Litter collection and waste disposal routines — execute independently and consistently across multiple zones of a large commercial or institutional property.Hand tools including pruning saws, axes, and loppers — select and use appropriately for the task at hand with reduced oversight during seasonal maintenance cycles.Powered equipment such as chainsaws, sod cutters, and snow blowers — operate safely and efficiently across varied terrain with minimal direct supervision.Irrigation hoses and portable sprinkler systems — adjust water pressure, coverage, and timing to match plant needs in different landscape zones.Trees, shrubs, and hedges — prune and trim to maintain intended shape and promote healthy growth using shears and chain saws on established client sites.Fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides — mix and apply using hand or automatic sprayers at correct concentrations following label instructions and safety guidelines.Lawn aeration, thatch removal, and weeding — perform as part of a recurring lawn care program to maintain turf health on residential or commercial grounds.Sod, grass seed, and bedding plants — install according to a landscaping design plan with limited direction, ensuring correct spacing and soil preparation.Work schedules and task checklists — manage personal daily workload across multiple properties, communicating progress and issues to a supervisor via email or verbal updates.Client service interactions — respond courteously and professionally to property owner questions or requests encountered during routine grounds maintenance visits.
proficient
Complex debris and erosion problems — assess and remediate across large or difficult terrain, selecting the most effective removal methods without supervisory input.Full range of hand and power tools — maintain, troubleshoot, and deploy across all landscape task types, adapting technique to non-routine site conditions autonomously.Heavy powered equipment including tractors and twin-axle vehicles — operate proficiently across diverse property types, adjusting settings for slope, soil, and seasonal conditions.Irrigation system performance — evaluate coverage, identify blockages or inefficiencies, and modify watering schedules to optimize plant health across an entire property portfolio.Advanced pruning of mature trees and large hedgerows — execute safely using chain saws and elevated equipment, making sound horticultural judgments independently.Integrated pest and weed management programs — design and carry out fertilizer, herbicide, and insecticide application schedules appropriate to specific turf and plant conditions.Comprehensive lawn renovation — plan and execute aeration, overseeding, dethatching, and edging cycles tailored to seasonal conditions and specific turf species.Landscaping installation projects — lead execution of full planting and sod-laying plans from site preparation through final inspection, ensuring design fidelity.Grounds maintenance records and service logs — compile and maintain accurate documentation of treatments, equipment usage, and site observations using office software tools.Unusual plant health or site hazard situations — identify root causes, apply problem-solving skills, and implement corrective actions without escalating to management.
advanced
Grounds maintenance programs for multi-site portfolios — design, schedule, and oversee seasonal workflows ensuring quality standards are met across all properties.Crew training and on-boarding — develop and deliver hands-on instruction in safe tool and equipment operation for new and less experienced groundskeeping workers.Equipment fleet management — establish preventive maintenance schedules, coordinate repairs, and make procurement recommendations to optimize reliability and cost efficiency.Landscape design plans and client briefs — collaborate with clients and designers to translate project goals into actionable installation and maintenance specifications.Pesticide, fertilizer, and irrigation programs — set organizational standards for chemical application safety, compliance with regulations, and environmental stewardship across all crews.Performance standards and quality benchmarks — establish measurable expectations for lawn health, plant appearance, and site cleanliness and audit outcomes across the operation.Safety culture and hazard prevention — lead the development and enforcement of site safety protocols, conducting regular risk assessments and corrective training.Budget planning for grounds operations — forecast labor, material, and equipment costs, track expenditures, and recommend resource adjustments to management.Client and stakeholder relationships — manage ongoing communication with property managers and clients, resolving service concerns and identifying opportunities for expanded scope.Organizational knowledge transfer — mentor senior workers toward leadership roles and document best-practice procedures to sustain institutional knowledge within the grounds team.
Also known as
107 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Brush CutterLawn Sprinkler ServicerLawn Sprinkler InstallerGroundsmanTurfgrass TechnicianSod CutterLaborer, LandscapeLawn Technician (Lawn Tech)Cemetery WorkerLawn Mower OperatorHorticultural WorkerYardmanMaintenance WorkerPlant Care WorkerHedge TrimmerShrub PlanterMaintenance GroundskeeperEquipment OperatorInterior Plant CaretakerFlower PlanterWeed ThinnerGreenskeeper IIGroundskeeping Maintenance WorkerGreens KeeperMaintenance TechnicianLawn Care WorkerSprinkler InstallerIndoor LandscaperPark KeeperGreenskeeperLawn-Service WorkerFlower PickerJunior Landscape Crew LeaderLandscaping AssistantLandscape TechnicianLandscape Crew MemberAthletic Field CustodianGardenerLawn Maintenance WorkerWeeder