First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers fall under the Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance category in the U.S. occupational classification. First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers earn a median salary of $56,170 per year, ranking in the top 55% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.3% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers earn?

The median annual wage for first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers is $56,170. That puts first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers at #442 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers is +2.3%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 224K positions in 2024 to 230K in 2034, a net change of 6K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Establish and enforce operating procedures and work standards that will ensure adequate performance and personnel safety.
2. 2.Tour grounds, such as parks, botanical gardens, cemeteries, or golf courses, to inspect conditions of plants and soil.
3. 3.Inspect completed work to ensure conformance to specifications, standards, and contract requirements.
4. 4.Plant or maintain vegetation through activities such as mulching, fertilizing, watering, mowing, or pruning.
5. 5.Identify diseases or pests affecting landscaping and order appropriate treatments.
6. 6.Provide workers with assistance in performing duties as necessary to meet deadlines.
7. 7.Monitor project activities to ensure that instructions are followed, deadlines are met, and schedules are maintained.
8. 8.Direct or perform mixing or application of fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides.

Top skills for first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping worker?

Many first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Tree Trimmers and Pruners
  $50,430 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
  $47,520 median
• Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
  $45,200 median
• Pest Control Workers
  $44,730 median
• Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other
  $43,410 median
• Building Cleaning Workers, All Other
  $42,360 median

Common questions parents ask about first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers