Landscapers maintain and improve outdoor spaces including residential yards, commercial properties, and public parks. They perform tasks like mowing, planting, pruning, and installing irrigation systems. Most positions require only a high school diploma with on-the-job training, though specialized roles may prefer horticulture coursework. Grounds maintenance workers earned a median salary of $38,470 in 2024, with approximately 45,900 new jobs expected between 2024 and 2034.
If you're considering a career that keeps you outdoors and lets you see tangible results from your work, landscaping might be precisely what you're looking for. Landscapers transform green spaces-whether they're suburban backyards, corporate campuses, or state parks. It's physical work that requires fitness and practical skills, but it doesn't require years of formal education. Let's explore what this career path actually looks like.
What Does a Landscaper Do?
Landscapers work outdoors, performing a variety of tasks to maintain and enhance landscapes. You'll find them in rural settings like state parks and conservation areas, as well as in urban green spaces-both public and private land. The work is labor-intensive, so you'll need to be relatively fit and healthy.
Your day-to-day tasks might include planting trees and shrubs, weeding garden beds, installing water features, altering land gradients, improving drainage systems, laying new turf or paving, and general upkeep. The role is similar to that of foresters, though with a different focus. You'll need to know how to use equipment safely-chainsaws, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, mattocks, trowels, shovels, and spades are standard tools. Sometimes you'll work alongside landscape designers or landscape architects, carrying out the manual work based on their plans.
Here's what makes this career flexible: landscapers can work almost anywhere. You might find yourself at conservation sites, historic properties, state parks, or providing door-to-door services in residential neighborhoods. If you're self-employed, you'll notice the seasonal nature of the work-warmer months bring more demand, though there's still plenty to do during colder periods.
Where Does a Landscaper Work?
Approximately 1.3 million people are working as landscapers or in similar roles across the United States. The majority work in building services-both residential and commercial. Increasingly, workplaces are becoming greener as businesses recognize the benefits of pleasant environments for employees. This means more gardens, water features, and attractive plants that need ongoing maintenance.
Many landscapers are self-employed or work with property developers, handling residential properties and shared spaces in housing developments. Residential landscaping represents a significant portion of the industry, though exact employment figures vary by source and aren't consistently tracked. State or local governments employ some landscapers to maintain public parks and green spaces. In contrast, others work in tourism, leisure, and recreation settings, such as golf courses, amusement parks, and resort properties. Educational institutions-schools and colleges with extensive grounds-also employ landscapers to maintain campus environments.
These varied settings mean there's an opportunity to work in whatever environment appeals to you most. Whether you prefer the variety of residential work, the stability of institutional employment, or the specialized demands of recreational facilities, the landscaping field offers flexibility in where and how you work.
If you're interested in the broader picture of land management, you might also explore related careers like soil engineering or urban planning, which focus on designing and managing the green spaces that landscapers maintain.
What Is the Average Landscaper Salary?
Landscaping is a vocational career with modest pay compared to roles requiring advanced degrees. Grounds maintenance workers, the broader occupational category that includes landscapers, earned a median annual salary of $38,470 as of May 2024. That breaks down to roughly $18.50 per hour. Keep in mind there's regional variation-landscapers in areas with a higher cost of living typically earn more, and those with specialized skills, such as irrigation system installation or pesticide application, can command higher wages.
Self-employed landscapers who build their own client base have more control over their earnings, though income can fluctuate seasonally. Crew leaders and those who move into management positions also see salary increases as they take on supervisory responsibilities.
Essential Skills and Work Requirements
Core Abilities You'll Need
Success as a landscaper requires both physical capability and practical skills. You'll need to work independently on solo tasks and collaborate effectively as part of a team. The ability to take direction from supervisors while using your own judgment is essential. Since you'll travel to various work sites throughout the day or week, a valid driver's license is often required.
Equipment operation is a core part of the job. You'll use chainsaws, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, and, depending on your location, snow blowers. Each piece of equipment has safety protocols you'll learn, and you'll be expected to maintain tools in good working condition. Physical dexterity matters-you'll work with your hands extensively, and the job can be physically demanding. Lifting, bending, digging, and carrying are daily activities.
What to Expect on the Job
Landscaping means working outdoors in all weather conditions. You'll face extreme temperatures, direct sun exposure, rain, and potentially snow. Environmental conditions such as dust, equipment noise, and contact with fertilizers or pesticides are part of reality. If you're handling chemicals and fertilizers, you'll need proper training in their safe application. Many employers provide or require certifications for pesticide application to ensure you're protecting yourself and the environment.
The work follows natural rhythms and project deadlines. You might spend days on routine maintenance-mowing, trimming, seasonal cleanup-then shift to enhancement projects that involve installing mulch, planting new species, or implementing landscape designs. Time management is crucial since you'll often juggle multiple properties or projects. You'll need to notify supervisors if equipment requires repairs and maintain a safe work environment at all job sites.
Career Advancement Opportunities
If you demonstrate aptitude and leadership, you can advance to crew leader or manager positions. These roles incorporate supervisory responsibilities while building on the practical skills you've developed. Many landscape managers hold diplomas in landscaping or horticulture, though extensive hands-on experience can substitute for formal credentials.
As a crew leader, you'll supervise teams of landscapers, mentor newer workers, and provide recommendations as projects progress. You'll oversee landscaping projects to ensure work meets timelines and quality standards. The role often involves designing landscaping plans for work sites and developing budgets for those designs. Strong communication skills are essential when presenting plans and budgets to clients and management. You'll also ensure your crew follows safety protocols and has access to properly maintained protective equipment. Knowledge of various landscape and hardscape techniques-from planting and pruning to installing pavers and retaining walls-becomes increasingly important as you move into leadership.
What Is the Job Demand for Landscapers?
The landscaping field is projected to grow by 4% between 2024 and 2034, matching the average growth rate across all occupations. This steady demand translates to approximately 45,900 new positions over that decade. Here's why the outlook remains stable: green spaces-whether commercial, residential, public, or government-owned-will always need maintenance.
The relatively low barrier to entry and the lack of required formal qualifications mean that anyone fit and healthy can pursue this career. People will always need lawn mowing, driveway clearing, and footpath maintenance. Commercial properties will continue to invest in attractive grounds, and municipalities are increasing their green infrastructure-planting more trees and setting aside more land for parks and natural areas. This trend is driven by both environmental benefits and aesthetic value, which could push growth even higher in some regions.
Geographic location affects demand significantly. Urban and suburban areas with higher population density and more disposable income tend to have stronger demand for landscaping services. Climate also plays a role-regions with year-round growing seasons offer more consistent employment than areas with harsh winters, though winter services like snow removal can offset seasonal downturns.
What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Landscaper?
In most cases, you don't need formal education beyond a high school diploma-and even that's not always required. The essential skills are learned on the job through hands-on experience. This makes landscaping one of the most accessible career paths for those who prefer practical work over classroom learning.
That said, if your role involves handling fertilizers or agricultural chemicals like pesticides, you'll need safety certification in their use. Many states require licensing for pesticide application to protect both workers and the environment. These certifications typically involve studying for an exam and demonstrating competency. Employers usually provide safety training for potentially dangerous equipment like chainsaws and hedge trimmers as part of your job training.
More lucrative positions, especially those with public-facing responsibilities or work at conservation areas, may prefer candidates with some formal knowledge of horticulture, arboriculture, landscape design, or ecology. While not always necessary, these qualifications can make you more competitive when applying for positions at state parks, heritage sites, or specialized landscaping companies. If you're interested in deepening your knowledge while keeping your options open, consider exploring horticulture technician roles, which blend hands-on work with more technical knowledge.
Experience counts heavily in this field. Those who demonstrate skill and reliability often find themselves promoted to positions with greater responsibility. Formal qualifications aren't required for advancement-your understanding of the work and ability to lead others will be what matters most.
Landscaping - Related Degrees
Professional Organizations and Resources
Landscapers have several professional organizations that support continuing education, certification, and industry connections:
- Professional Grounds Management Society: Offers certification for professional grounds maintenance workers and supports education and development in this area of manual labor. It's an individual membership organization rather than a trade association.
- International Society of Arboriculture: For those working primarily with trees, this organization promotes proper tree care in green and urban spaces and provides certification programs.
- National Association of Landscape Professionals: The largest trade association in this field, representing over 100,000 professionals who work with lawn care and water management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What education do you need to be a landscaper?
Most landscaping positions require only a high school diploma or equivalent, with skills learned through on-the-job training. Specialized roles involving pesticide application require state-specific certification. More advanced positions at conservation sites or in landscape management may prefer coursework in horticulture or landscape design, but extensive experience can often substitute for formal education.
How much does a landscaper make per year?
The median annual salary for grounds maintenance workers was $38,470 in 2024, or approximately $18.50 per hour. Earnings vary based on geographic location, specialization, and whether you work for an employer or are self-employed. Crew leaders and those with specialized skills, such as irrigation installation or pesticide application, typically earn above the median.
Is landscaping a good career choice?
Landscaping is a solid choice if you enjoy outdoor work, appreciate seeing tangible results from your efforts, and prefer hands-on tasks over desk work. The low barrier to entry makes it accessible, and there's steady job demand with about 45,900 new positions expected through 2034. Consider the physical needs and seasonal nature of the work when deciding if it's right for you.
What's the difference between a landscaper and a landscape architect?
Landscapers perform hands-on maintenance and installation-mowing, planting, pruning, and building landscape features. Landscape architects design outdoor spaces and create plans that landscapers implement. Landscape architects typically hold bachelor's or master's degrees in landscape architecture and must be licensed. The two roles work together, with architects providing the vision and landscapers bringing it to life.
Do landscapers work year-round?
It depends on your location and employment type. In regions with mild climates, landscaping work continues year-round with seasonal variations in tasks. In areas with harsh winters, demand drops significantly during the cold months, though some landscapers offset this by offering snow removal services. Self-employed landscapers often see strong seasonal fluctuations, while those employed by larger companies or institutions may have more consistent hours throughout the year.
Key Takeaways
- Low Barrier to Entry: Most positions require only a high school diploma with on-the-job training, making this one of the most accessible outdoor careers.
- Modest but Steady Pay: Median salary of $38,470 annually (2024), with regional variation and opportunities to earn more through specialization or self-employment.
- Physical and Outdoor Work: Expect to work in all weather conditions, with physical demands that include lifting, operating equipment, and being on your feet throughout the day.
- Stable Job Growth: Projected 4% growth through 2034 with approximately 45,900 new positions, driven bythe ongoing need for maintenance and expanding urban green infrastructure.
- Clear Advancement Path: Demonstrate skill and leadership to move into crew leader or management roles with increased responsibilities and higher pay.
Ready to explore outdoor career opportunities? Discover environmental science programs that can enhance your landscaping career or open doors to related fields like horticulture, ecology, and conservation.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for grounds maintenance workers reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2026.
