Grounds Maintenance Workers

Written By Keandra Wilson

 1. OVERVIEW

Grounds Maintenance Workers care for landscapes to ensure they are orderly, healthy, and visually appealing. Their work includes mowing lawns, pruning trees, maintaining flower beds, and sometimes installing hardscapes or applying fertilizers and pesticides.

  • 2024 Median Pay: $38,470/year ($18.50/hour)

  • Job Growth (2023–2033): +5% (As fast as average)

  • Typical Education: No formal credential required; on-the-job training

2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Groundskeeper, Landscaping Laborer, Maintenance Assistant

  • Education: No formal credential required (High School Diploma preferred)

  • Experience: None required; learn via on-the-job training (usually under 1 month)

  • Certifications (Optional but helpful):

    • OSHA 10 for safety

    • NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician

  • Core Duties:

    • Mow lawns and trim hedges

    • Weed, mulch, and water flower beds

    • Remove debris and operate basic tools (rakes, mowers)

    • Assist in planting flowers and shrubs

    • Follow supervisor instructions

  • Salary Range: $29,000–$38,000

MID LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Landscape Technician, Pesticide Applicator, Tree Trimmer

  • Education: High School Diploma or equivalent

  • Experience: 2–5 years in grounds work or related areas

  • Certifications (Preferred):

    • Pesticide Applicator License (state-specific)

    • NALP or PGMS certifications

    • Arborist certification (ISA) for tree trimmers

  • Core Duties:

    • Operate power tools (chainsaws, backhoes, blowers)

    • Apply pesticides and fertilizers

    • Monitor plant health and recommend treatments

    • Work independently or lead small teams

    • Maintain sports fields or golf courses

  • Salary Range: $38,000–$52,000

SENIOR LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Crew Leader, Grounds Supervisor, Landscape Foreman, Horticultural Specialist

  • Education: High School Diploma; training in horticulture or urban forestry is a plus

  • Experience: 5+ years including leadership roles

  • Certifications (Recommended):

    • Landscape Industry Certified Manager (NALP)

    • Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ – ISA)

    • First Aid/CPR and OSHA 30

  • Core Duties:

    • Supervise grounds crew and scheduling

    • Develop and manage maintenance plans

    • Ensure safety protocols and compliance

    • Communicate with clients or property managers

    • Budget planning, equipment maintenance, and quality control

  • Salary Range: $52,000–$65,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

  • Education: No degree required; take high school-level courses in biology, agriculture, or shop

  • Training: Learn on the job; employers may provide equipment handling or chemical use training

  • Certifications:

    • Pesticide License (required in many states)

    • Optional: NALP, PGMS, ISA credentials

  • Career Path:
    Laborer → Technician → Pesticide Applicator → Crew Leader → Grounds Supervisor

4. SKILLS & TOOLS

Core Skills:

  • Physical stamina and strength

  • Dexterity and hand-eye coordination

  • Basic mechanical ability

  • Safety awareness

  • Time management and reliability

Tools & Platforms:

  • Lawn mowers, chainsaws, trimmers

  • Leaf blowers, backhoes, tillers

  • Pesticide applicators, safety gear

  • Scheduling apps, handheld GPS units

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Industries: Landscaping services, government, schools, parks, cemeteries, golf courses

  • Conditions: Outdoor work in all weather conditions

  • Risks: Injuries from equipment, chemical exposure, falls from height

  • Schedules: Full-time; busiest in spring–fall; snow removal in winter

6. JOB OUTLOOK

  • Growth Rate (2023–2033): 5%

  • Annual Openings: ~176,600

  • Growth Drivers:

    • Expansion of green spaces

    • Demand from residential and commercial properties

    • Institutional landscaping (universities, golf courses, etc.)

  • Career Paths:
    Grounds Worker → Pesticide Specialist → Tree Trimmer → Crew Leader → Foreman → Grounds Manager

7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS

  • Role: Pest Control Workers | Salary: $44,730 | Education Level: High School

  • Role: Agricultural Workers | Salary: $35,980 | Education Level: Varies

  • Role: Forest Workers | Salary: $43,680 | Education Level: High School

  • Role: Janitors | Salary: $35,930 | Education Level: None

  • Role: Landscape Architects | Salary: $79,660 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Logging Workers | Salary: $49,540 | Education Level: High School

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Courses & Certifications:

Books:

  • The Well-Tended Perennial Garden by Tracy DiSabato-Aust

  • Botany for Gardeners by Brian Capon

  • Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines by Richard Harris

Videos & Communities:

  • YouTube: "This Old House Landscaping", "Stanley Dirt Monkey Genadek", "Garden Answer"

  • Reddit: r/landscaping, r/Arborists

  • Forums: LawnSite.com, TreeBuzz.com

9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

Top-Paying Industries:

Industry

Median Hourly Pay

Tree Trimming

$24.25

Pesticide Application

$21.73

Educational Services

$20.42

Government

$18.81

Hot Job Locations:

  • California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois

  • Urban areas investing in public green spaces

Seasonal Trends:

  • Peak demand in spring/summer

  • Winter work includes snow removal, equipment upkeep

Emerging Trends:

  • Eco-friendly landscaping practices

  • Drought-resistant plant use

  • Smart irrigation and automation technology

SOURCES:

 

Keandra Wilson
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