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For Educators: Military Resources

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Median Salary
37,360
Job Outlook
+5%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

57%

Self-employed

27%

State and local government

9%

Private not for profit

5%

Federal Government

1%

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of grounds maintenance workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 176,600 openings for grounds maintenance workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$20,110

10%

$37,360

Median

$46,600

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Less than high school

    39%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    31%

  • Bachelor's degree

    18%

  • High school

    8%

  • Associate's degree

    3%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Ornamental Horticulture
  • Turf and Turfgrass Management
  • Landscaping and Groundskeeping
  • Plant Nursery Operations and Management
  • Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General
  • Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management
  • Greenhouse Operations and Management

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Low

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Math and Science Skills

    Low

  • Technology Design and Control

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Low

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Chemistry
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Biology

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Physical Activity

    High

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

  • Level Of Competition

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.