Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary
The median landscaping and groundskeeping workers salary in the United States is $39,150 per year ($18.82/hour). Salaries range from $31,150 at the entry level to $56,730+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 952,640 landscaping and groundskeeping workers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3.6% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Distribution
Job Growth (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
Education Required
Training Needed
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Career Guide
Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for landscaping and groundskeeping workerss.
Landscapers + groundskeepers maintain outdoor spaces at residential + commercial + institutional properties. Career splits: residential landscaping (mowing + shrubs + planting), commercial landscape maintenance (office parks + retail + HOAs), institutional grounds (schools, universities, hospitals, parks), landscape design + build (higher skill + pay), golf course superintendent (specialized career), municipal parks (steady + benefits + pension). Path: entry with real advancement through specialization (irrigation, hardscape, arboriculture) or ownership. Compensation: entry $28-38k typical; skilled crews $38-52k; supervisors $48-72k; landscape architects $60-95k; superintendents at golf courses + institutions $65-105k; business owners $60k-$300k+ depending on scale.
Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For
How to Become a Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
- 1Age 16-18 minimum depending on state + roleAge restrictions vary. Chemical application requires 18+.
- 2High school diploma preferred but not requiredSome entry positions accept without. Basic reading + math for orders + labels.
- 3Apply to landscape company or facilityResidential + commercial + institutional. Landscape companies hire year-round. Peak season March-October.
- 4On-the-job training (1-2 weeks)Company-specific training on equipment + procedures + safety + basic plant identification.
- 5Get pesticide applicator license (if pursuing chemical application)State-issued. $50-200 exam + application. Enables commercial pesticide application + higher pay ($3-8/hr premium).
- 6Specialize (irrigation, hardscape, arboriculture, design)Specialty commands 20-40% higher wages. Higher-skill work available.
- 7Move to crew lead / foreman3-5 years experience. Supervise 3-6 workers. First supervisory role.
- 8Advance to supervisor / operations manager / business owner5-10+ years experience. Full crew or business responsibility. Higher pay + business ownership potential.
Career Progression
- β’Mowing + trimming + cleanup
- β’Assist skilled workers
- β’Learning equipment + plants
- β’Independent maintenance routes
- β’Basic install + planting
- β’Cross-trained in equipment
- β’Lead crew of 3-6
- β’Schedule + route management
- β’Customer communication
- β’Specialty role
- β’Higher-skill install + design
- β’Client consultation
- β’Multi-crew oversight
- β’Golf course or grounds management
- β’Client + member relations
- β’Full business P&L + growth
- β’Multi-crew or multi-region oversight
- β’Business development + marketing
Interview Questions & Answers
5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 12 total plus resume bullets for every level.
Q1. Tell me about your landscape experience.situational
Q2. How do you handle working in bad weather or heat?situational
Q3. Tell me about a difficult customer situation.behavioral
Q4. Why our company / this facility?culture
Q5. How do you handle multiple demands / projects at once?situational
Resume Template β Experienced Landscaper (3-6 yrs)
Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.
- βΈLandscaper + Crew Lead, [Company], responsible for 22 residential + commercial accounts totaling $180k annual revenue.
- βΈState Pesticide Applicator License + OSHA 10 + Chainsaw Safety + ISA Certified Arborist (2024).
- βΈPerfect safety record + zero customer complaints in past 24 months.
- βΈTrained + certified 4 new-hire crew members. All completed onboarding successfully.
What Gets You Rejected
- βAttendance issues (seasonal work demands reliability).
- βPoor safety awareness or equipment care.
- βBad-mouthing prior employer or customers.
- βWeak plant knowledge or seasonal awareness.
- βSubstance abuse concerns.
- βNot physically capable of role demands.
- βWeak team communication.
- βMissing pesticide applicator license (if pursuing that specialty).
Salary Negotiation Levers
- βHourly rate + specialty + certifications matter.
- βSign-on bonus $200-2,000 in high-demand markets.
- βOvertime premium (peak season 45+ hrs/week common).
- βFull benefits (health, dental, retirement) β huge difference between full-time + seasonal roles.
- βCertifications = pay premium (Pesticide Applicator, ISA Certified Arborist, Irrigation).
- βCompany truck or vehicle allowance for supervisors.
- βWinter work options (snow removal, salting) or seasonal layoff with unemployment.
- βPTO + sick time.
- βCareer path to crew lead + supervisor.
- βOwnership path support (training + client referrals).
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Resume Review β $29
Personalized resume review from someone who has hired landscaping and groundskeeping workerss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.
- β Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
- β Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
- β Missing skills / keywords flagged
- β Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
- β 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Career Kit β $19
- β All 12 interview questions with expert answers
- β 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
- β Interview format intel for 8 top employers
- β 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
- β Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
- β 30β60β90 day plan for your first role
- β Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
- β Detailed salary negotiation script
- β Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
- β Downloadable PDF for offline access
- β Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.
Sample reviews β real customer reviews will appear here as they come in.
βThe interview question bank saved me. I got the exact question about 'walking through a DCF' at my Goldman Sachs superday, verbatim.β
β Anonymous, Financial Analyst
βCopy-paste negotiation emails are worth the price alone. I used the 'accepting with counter' template and got an extra $8k signing bonus.β
β Anonymous, Software Developer
βThe 30-60-90 day plan for a new grad RN was better than the orientation my hospital gave. Wish I'd bought this in nursing school.β
β Anonymous, Registered Nurse
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) βSalary Map β Click a state for details
Top Paying States
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $48,790 | +24.6% |
| Massachusetts | $48,670 | +24.3% |
| Alaska | $47,690 | +21.8% |
| Washington | $46,950 | +19.9% |
| Minnesota | $46,610 | +19.1% |
| Vermont | $46,230 | +18.1% |
| Maine | $45,970 | +17.4% |
| Hawaii | $45,920 | +17.3% |
| Colorado | $45,760 | +16.9% |
| Connecticut | $45,740 | +16.8% |
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $49,030 | +25.2% |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $49,010 | +25.2% |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $48,570 | +24.1% |
| Napa, CA | $48,540 | +24.0% |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $48,520 | +23.9% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $48,480 | +23.8% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $48,330 | +23.4% |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $48,080 | +22.8% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $48,040 | +22.7% |
| Worcester, MA | $47,980 | +22.6% |