Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers fall under the Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance category in the U.S. occupational classification. Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers earn a median salary of $38,090 per year, ranking in the top 89% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.6% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly 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 landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn?

The median annual wage for landscaping and groundskeeping workers is $38,090. That puts landscaping and groundskeeping workers at #723 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 landscaping and groundskeeping workers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for landscaping and groundskeeping workers is +3.6%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 1.2M positions in 2024 to 1.2M in 2034, a net change of 43K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working landscaping 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.Gather and remove litter.
2. 2.Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
3. 3.Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
4. 4.Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs, and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.
5. 5.Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
6. 6.Decorate gardens with stones or plants.
7. 7.Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
8. 8.Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.

Top skills for landscaping 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 landscaping and groundskeeping worker?

Many landscaping 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

• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
  $56,170 median
• 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

Common questions parents ask about landscaping and groundskeeping workers