Creating and maintaining outdoor spaces is the work of grounds maintenance workers. Under the direction of a manager, they ensure that both public and private grounds are beautiful and healthy. Landscaping workers are typically employed by homeowners, apartment or office buildings, shopping malls, and hotels… to plant and trim trees, flowers, and other plants. Some maintain permanent fixtures, such as walkways, patios, and decks, or install lighting and sprinkler systems. Groundskeeping workers keep properties, such as parks and businesses, looking good through every season. In summer, they care for plants, grass, and trees… in fall, they rake and mulch leaves… and in winter, they clear snow. They also may maintain parking lots, fountains, swimming pools, and fences. Athletic field groundskeepers keep natural and artificial turf in top condition. They mark out boundaries, and paint turf with team logos and names. At cemeteries, groundskeepers may use a backhoe to dig graves. Greenskeepers maintain golf courses, from intensive turf maintenance, to keeping canopies and tee markers in good repair. Other workers also help keep grounds accessible: pesticide workers apply chemicals to handle weeds, insects, and diseases. Tree trimmers and pruners work high off the ground to cut away excess branches— keeping roads and sidewalks safe, and clearing utility lines. Many grounds maintenance jobs are seasonal, although year-round positions may be available. Work is generally outdoors in all weather conditions, and involves frequent bending, kneeling, lifting and shoveling. Grounds maintenance workers typically do not require any formal education and are trained on the job. Workers who apply pesticides or fertilizers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and must obtain a license.
Related Careers Landscape Architects, Soil and Plant Scientists, Log Graders and Scalers, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers and Applicators, Tree Trimmers and Pruners & Floral Designers
Sources: Minnesota CAREERwise & CareerOneStop
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Decorate indoor or outdoor spaces.
- Install equipment to protect or support trees.
- Treat greenery or surfaces with protective substances.
- Trim trees or other vegetation.
- Operate grounds maintenance equipment.
- Clean facilities or sites.
- Cultivate lawns, turf, or gardens.
- Dispose of trash or waste materials.
- Irrigate lawns, trees, or plants.
- Plant greenery to improve landscape appearance.
Typical Working Conditions
- Working outdoors exposed to weather.
- Working in very hot or cold temperatures.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
- Standing.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Working with a group or team.
- A work pace that is determined by the speed of equipment.
Tools & Technology used by Landscapers
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
Most Important Skills for Landscapers
- Operating Equipment—Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
- Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Monitoring Equipment—Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Helping Others—Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Solving Complex Problems—Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Being Aware of Others—Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Controlling Quality—Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Most Important Knowledge Areas for Landscapers
- Chemistry—Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
- Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Mechanical—Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Biology—Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Engineering and Technology—Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Design—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:
- Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
| Wages Per Hour For Landscapers (MN) | ||
Low$16.79 |
Median$18.91 |
High$22.74 |
Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.
Demand
This career is seeing very high growth compared to other careers. There will be a 9.7% growth for Landscapers to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
This career requires at least a high school degree, and many professionals attended some college. This career does require a license and certifications are helpful.
View the local post-secondary education options for this career from Central Lakes College.
Spotlight on Central Lakes College
- Why consider CLC?
- Virtual Campus Tours: Brainerd Campus, Staples Campus
- Learn more about the CLC Honors Program.
- Attend CLC, and you may never need to buy a textbook.
If you have a physical, mental, developmental, or cognitive condition that requires educational support, learn about support options at CLC.
Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:
- Accounting
- Algebra I and II
- Blueprint Reading
- Business Computer Applications
- CAD Design
- Drafting
- Electronics
- Geometry
- Physics
- Technical Writing
- Trigonometry
- Woodworking
Source: Minnesota CAREERwise
Try designing a garden layout online.
Visit the Minnesota State Northern Agricultural Center of Excellence for more information about this and related careers, as well as links to education and training programs.
CLC Petal It Forward
Videos
Bridge Plaza: Landscape Design (Widseth)
Grounds Worker (BC’s Career Trek)
Horticulturalist (BC’s Career Trek)
“Day in the Life” Videos
Landscape Professional (Nat’l Assoc of Landscape Professionals)
Landscaper (Connect Ed)
Additional Resources
Careers in Plant Systems (National FFA)
Career in Agriculture and Natural Resources (Utah State University Extension)