Landscape Contractor

Landscape Contractor handles 21 typical tasks so you can quickly understand the role’s main duties and outcomes. The examples include who benefits, common constraints and key checks. Each one shows where we found it, and comes with an AI prompt you can copy and use straight away.

21evidenced tasks
21ready prompts
5tools of the trade
37-3011.00O*NET-SOC code
952,640hold this job (US, BLS 2025)
$39,150median pay/yr (US)
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What it pays

Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.

Half of all Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in the U.S. earn more than $39,150 a year — the middle 80% land between $31,150 and $56,730. About 952,640 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Elementary occupations earn about ₹11,530 a month on average — around ₹1.4 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$39,150typical pay / year
952,640people in this work
$56,730+top 10% earn
₹1.4 lakha year in India (family avg)
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The work, task by task

These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.

Move5

Operate landscaping equipment and tools

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Start the skid-steer, inspect attachments, operate the trencher to prepare planting trenches on the south…
Start the skid-steer, inspect attachments, operate the trencher to prepare planting trenches on the south slope, shift to the rotary cutter for hedge trimming, and log fuel and maintenance at the end of the shift while watching for overhead lines and bystander safety.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Windowsjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia

Remove litter and debris

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Walk the site at 07:30, collect and remove all litter, broken pots, and windblown debris from the front and…
Walk the site at 07:30, collect and remove all litter, broken pots, and windblown debris from the front and rear beds, bag by material type, leave pathways clear for the morning delivery and report any hazardous waste to the office before 10:00.
The tools that do the workFacebookjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia

Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.

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Survey the property, mark sun and shade areas, sketch lawn and bed extents, note irrigation access and soil…
Survey the property, mark sun and shade areas, sketch lawn and bed extents, note irrigation access and soil condition, then write a planting plan that lists turf, shrubs and groundcover, estimated quantities and a two‑week prep schedule to share with the crew by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NETWikipedia

Mow lawns and trim grass

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Start at the east boundary at 08:00, mow the front and rear lawns to a uniform height, edge all paths and…
Start at the east boundary at 08:00, mow the front and rear lawns to a uniform height, edge all paths and beds, collect clippings into the trailer, blow hard surfaces clean, and report any mower faults or unexpected obstacles to the foreman before the end of shift.
The tools that do the workFacebookjob descriptionsWikipedia

Mulch landscapes

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Clear beds of weeds and large debris, spread three inches of shredded bark over planting zones, keep a neat…
Clear beds of weeds and large debris, spread three inches of shredded bark over planting zones, keep a neat two‑inch mulch ring around tree trunks, rake smooth, then take a photo of the finished beds and log mulch cubic metres used for invoicing.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsWikipedia
Sending & sharing1

Install sprinkler systems

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Walk the yard with the client, verify sprinkler coverage needs, locate mains and valves, mark proposed pipe…
Walk the yard with the client, verify sprinkler coverage needs, locate mains and valves, mark proposed pipe runs and head locations, prepare a parts list with pipe sizes and head types, and confirm install date for next Tuesday so the crew can dig trenches then.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
The daily work15

Shape landforms to improve usability and aesthetics

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Regrade the back slope to create two usable terraces with a gentle 6:1 slope, compact the fill, add topsoil…
Regrade the back slope to create two usable terraces with a gentle 6:1 slope, compact the fill, add topsoil to 150mm, shape planting berms for the new beds, and leave a clear 1.2m path for maintenance access by Friday so planting can start next week.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordWikipedia

Water and fertilize plants to promote healthy growth

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Set up a weekly watering and fertiliser schedule for the front beds: deep soak twice weekly for 30 minutes,…
Set up a weekly watering and fertiliser schedule for the front beds: deep soak twice weekly for 30 minutes, liquid feed every four weeks with balanced NPK, mark valve times at each zone, and hand-water newly planted shrubs until established, starting Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia

Install and maintain water features like ponds

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Excavate pond to the planned depths, compact the shelf edges, install liner and underlay, fit the skimmer and…
Excavate pond to the planned depths, compact the shelf edges, install liner and underlay, fit the skimmer and pump on vibration pads, backfill with washed stone around liner, and test for leaks and circulation before planting marginal reeds next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeWikipedia

Advise customers on plant selection or care.

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Advise Maria at 42 Willow Lane on plant choices and seasonal care for her shaded front bed—recommend three…
Advise Maria at 42 Willow Lane on plant choices and seasonal care for her shaded front bed—recommend three low-maintenance shrubs, one evergreen, one pollinator-friendly perennial, include watering schedule and soil amendment before Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NETWikipedia

Prune trees, shrubs, and hedges

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Prune the overgrown privet hedge at 9 Maple Court to a neat 4-foot height, remove dead wood from the apple…
Prune the overgrown privet hedge at 9 Maple Court to a neat 4-foot height, remove dead wood from the apple tree by the driveway, and leave the clippings in a single pile for pickup before I finish the job today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsWikipedia

Install or repair fences and structures

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Replace the broken rear fence board and reset two loose posts at 18 Birch Avenue, match the existing stain,…
Replace the broken rear fence board and reset two loose posts at 18 Birch Avenue, match the existing stain, backfill and tamp concrete footings, and send the invoice estimate to Jason by Wednesday after I confirm material costs.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsWikipedia

Remove dead or damaged trees

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Remove the dead maple at 77 Pine Road: cut into manageable sections, grind the stump to below grade, haul…
Remove the dead maple at 77 Pine Road: cut into manageable sections, grind the stump to below grade, haul debris to the yard, and email the completion photo and disposal receipt to Carla today before I leave site.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsWikipedia

Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.

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Attach two strands of flexible tree tie from the new ornamental pear at 5 Cedar Place to its stakes, allow a…
Attach two strands of flexible tree tie from the new ornamental pear at 5 Cedar Place to its stakes, allow a little trunk movement, trim excess twine, and note the tie date and watering instruction on the planting log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET

Decorate gardens with stones or plants.

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Dress the front courtyard at 31 Oak Street with river stones along the path, plant five low-water succulents…
Dress the front courtyard at 31 Oak Street with river stones along the path, plant five low-water succulents in the bed, rake level, and text Mark a photo and the final invoice when the crew finishes this afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET

Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.

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Adjust sprinkler run times and zone sequencing across the Maplewood estate to cut water use by 20 percent…
Adjust sprinkler run times and zone sequencing across the Maplewood estate to cut water use by 20 percent this month, test emitter outputs at each bed, reroute any leaking lines, and report hourly savings to site manager Carla by Friday afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET

Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.

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Clear snow from the front walks, driveway, and staff parking at 1428 Oak Street, pile snow away from building…
Clear snow from the front walks, driveway, and staff parking at 1428 Oak Street, pile snow away from building entrances, then salt all cleared surfaces focusing on ramps and steps, and text foreman Luis when finished so he can reopen the site.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET

Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.

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Winterize the irrigation on the university campus this week: blow out all zones to 40 psi, drain and cap…
Winterize the irrigation on the university campus this week: blow out all zones to 40 psi, drain and cap exposed backflow assemblies, tag valves needing spring repair, and publish the shutoff checklist to operations before leaving site.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET

Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses.

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Core aerate and test the infield at Riverside Park, bring soil samples from five locations to confirm…
Core aerate and test the infield at Riverside Park, bring soil samples from five locations to confirm sand/loam ratios for drainage, adjust topdressing plan if compaction exceeds 20 percent, and email the maintenance schedule to Parks supervisor Anika.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
SOIL

Haul or spread topsoil, or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.

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Deliver three loads of screened topsoil to the Elm Street site, spread to a uniform four-inch depth over the…
Deliver three loads of screened topsoil to the Elm Street site, spread to a uniform four-inch depth over the new beds, and lay straw mulch over the seeded areas to prevent erosion before signing off with contractor Ben.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET

Apply pesticides or fertilizers (license required)

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Apply the approved granular fertilizer to the condominium lawns this morning following label rates, close and…
Apply the approved granular fertilizer to the condominium lawns this morning following label rates, close and log the licensed application on the treatment form, note weather and wind conditions, and upload the signed application to property manager Jenna.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions

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Activities this job lives in

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Related careers

Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.

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