6 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You usually split time between field work and office tasks. Mornings often start with checking the Work Order Management (WOM) system for scheduled calls, customer notes, and parts lists, then drive to 3–6 sites for inspections and repairs.
On site you inspect systems for leaks, test and adjust sprinklers, replace broken heads and valves, and take soil or plant moisture readings. Back at the office you update the WOM and CRM with results, create simple CAD sketches for layout changes, and schedule follow-ups.
Start with the specific Work Order Management (WOM) tool your company uses because it tells you which jobs to do, where parts are, and the priority. Learn how to open jobs, log time, add photos, and close orders.
Next learn the company CRM for customer notes, billing flags, and service history. Basic CAD comes third — you only need simple skills like drawing pipes, placing heads, and exporting a PDF for parts lists.
Yes, but use AI as an assistant, not a decision-maker. You can paste plant lists, soil types, and water pressure numbers into an AI to get layout suggestions or parts lists, then verify those recommendations with field measurements and CAD drawings.
Never let AI replace on-site tests: test soil moisture, measure static and running pressure, and inspect valves and heads before finalizing any design or repair. Put the verified plan into CAD and the job notes into WOM and CRM.
Pay varies by region and employer. Entry-level technicians often start around the local minimum to $16–$20 per hour; experienced techs who do layout, pump work, and CAD can reach $25–$35+/hour or a salary in the mid $40k–$70k range, depending on overtime and certifications.
Specialized skills—hydraulic pump setup, commercial system design, or irrigation certifications—push pay higher. For accurate local numbers check job boards, union listings, or ask the employer for their pay range during hiring.
Look for entry-level helper or apprentice roles with landscaping or irrigation companies. Learn to inspect systems, replace heads and valves, and use a simple soil probe; these are basic hands-on skills employers want.
Take short courses in irrigation fundamentals and a beginner CAD class at a community college. Ask an employer which WOM or CRM they use—many companies will train you on those systems if your mechanical basics are solid.
A landscaper focuses on plants, mowing, and garden care; a plumber fixes indoor water and sewage pipes. An irrigation technician specializes in outdoor water delivery: designing piping layouts, testing pressure, assembling pumps, and adjusting sprinkler systems.
You do some overlap: you’ll replace valves like a plumber and understand plant water needs like a landscaper. But you work with irrigation-specific systems (pumps, controllers, valves) and use CAD and WOM for layouts and job tracking.
Learn how to test and measure water pressure and flow (static pressure, running pressure, and flow in gallons per minute). These numbers determine pipe sizes, head choices, and pump requirements.
Knowing pressure and flow helps you inspect for leaks, size replacements, and verify designs in CAD. It’s the measurement you’ll use every day and the one employers notice first on a resume.