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.
Also called: Gardener · Greenskeeper · Grounds Maintenance Worker · Grounds Person · Grounds Specialist · Grounds Worker
Median pay (national)
$38,090
$29,990–$53,900 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
943,430
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.6%
~158,200 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for landscaping and groundskeeping workers shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $53,900 versus $29,990 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $38,090 leaves roughly 42% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.6% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 158,200 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $47,320, +24% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $20,830 — a 127% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Critical Thinking, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
- Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
- Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.
- Gather and remove litter.
- Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
- Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
- Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
- Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
- Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
- Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs, and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Windows
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Biology
- Mathematics