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: Athletic Field Custodian, Athletic Fieldskeeper, Bonsai Tender, Brush Cutter, Cemetery Keeper, Cemetery Laborer
Median pay
$39,150
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$31,150 – $56,730
People employed
952,640
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 3.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 4.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 5.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 6.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 7.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 8.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers salary in every state →
What landscaping and groundskeeping workers do
- 01Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
- 02Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
- 03Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
- 04Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
- 05Gather and remove litter.
- 06Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Building and Construction
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from landscaping and groundskeeping workers
- Agricultural Equipment Operators79% · +7%
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners77% · +27%
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators76% · +53%
- Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse75% · −9%
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas75% · +20%
Change into landscaping and groundskeeping workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
Jobs similar to landscaping and groundskeeping workers →Majors that lead here
- Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General
- Ornamental Horticulture
- Greenhouse Operations and Management
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping
- Plant Nursery Operations and Management
- Turf and Turfgrass Management
- Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.