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)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →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.
Fixing3
Mow lawns and trim grass
+Mow the front and back lawns at 412 Maple Street this morning, trim all grass edges along walkways and beds,…
Mow lawns and trim grass
+Mow the front and back lawns at 412 Maple Street this morning, trim all grass edges along walkways and beds, blow clippings off sidewalks, and report any irrigation or turf damage by noon to Site Supervisor Jorge.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsWikipedia
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Mulch landscapes
+Spread two cubic yards of shredded hardwood mulch across the planting beds at Parkside Plaza, maintain…
Mulch landscapes
+Spread two cubic yards of shredded hardwood mulch across the planting beds at Parkside Plaza, maintain three-inch depth around plants without touching stems, rake smooth, and send a photo and completion note to Lead Horticulturist Maria by end of shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Operate landscaping equipment and tools
+Operate the ride-on mower, hedge trimmer and walk-behind edger on the Elm Park contract this morning, log…
Operate landscaping equipment and tools
+Operate the ride-on mower, hedge trimmer and walk-behind edger on the Elm Park contract this morning, log hours and equipment condition, and note any damaged tools or plant health issues so I can hand over an accurate shift report at lunchtime.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Keeping the record1
Remove litter and debris
+Collect and remove litter and debris across the Riverbank site before the Saturday community event, separate…
Remove litter and debris
+Collect and remove litter and debris across the Riverbank site before the Saturday community event, separate recyclables and hazardous items, record locations and volumes cleared so I can report compliance to the site supervisor after the sweep.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Make2
Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.
+Prepare the soil, mark out planting beds and lay out the irrigation plan for the courtyard lawn renewal,…
Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.
+Prepare the soil, mark out planting beds and lay out the irrigation plan for the courtyard lawn renewal, record species, spacings and soil amendments from the plans so I can confirm plant orders and schedule the planting crew for Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NETWikipedia
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Install sprinkler systems
+Install the sprinkler mains and zone valves for Building B landscaping today, test each zone for coverage and…
Install sprinkler systems
+Install the sprinkler mains and zone valves for Building B landscaping today, test each zone for coverage and leaks, note pressure readings and as-built pipe runs so I can finalise the handover sheet and request inspection sign-off by the client on Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work15
Advise customers on plant selection or care.
+Advise Maria at 42 Elm Street on three low-water, low-maintenance perennials suitable for a partially shaded…
Advise customers on plant selection or care.
+Advise Maria at 42 Elm Street on three low-water, low-maintenance perennials suitable for a partially shaded front bed, explain seasonal care and pest risks, and send her a one-page care checklist before Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NETWikipedia
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Prune trees, shrubs, and hedges
+Prune the overgrown boxwood hedge at 12 Pine Crescent to a neat 1.2 metre height, remove crossing branches,…
Prune trees, shrubs, and hedges
+Prune the overgrown boxwood hedge at 12 Pine Crescent to a neat 1.2 metre height, remove crossing branches, and leave a tidy pile for green waste pickup before the afternoon job.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsWikipedia
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Install or repair fences and structures
+Repair the three-metre split fence on the west side of 88 Oak Avenue: replace two posts, realign three rails,…
Install or repair fences and structures
+Repair the three-metre split fence on the west side of 88 Oak Avenue: replace two posts, realign three rails, and confirm material list and customer approval by Thursday midday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsWikipedia
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Remove dead or damaged trees
+Remove the dead maple at 7 Birch Lane, fell and section it safely, chip the branches on site, and photograph…
Remove dead or damaged trees
+Remove the dead maple at 7 Birch Lane, fell and section it safely, chip the branches on site, and photograph stumps and root collar for the property owner before leaving.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsWikipedia
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Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
+Attach two support wires to the newly planted oak at 55 Willow Road, tension to hold the trunk vertical…
Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
+Attach two support wires to the newly planted oak at 55 Willow Road, tension to hold the trunk vertical without rubbing, and check again in six weeks for adjustment.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Decorate gardens with stones or plants.
+Design a small decorative stone border and plant plan for the south cottage bed at 3 Meadow Way using…
Decorate gardens with stones or plants.
+Design a small decorative stone border and plant plan for the south cottage bed at 3 Meadow Way using drought-tolerant groundcover and three specimen perennials, then give the homeowner an installation quote by Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Shape landforms to improve usability and aesthetics
+Regrade the back slope into three gentle terraces with compacted soil benches, install two rock-edged swales…
Shape landforms to improve usability and aesthetics
+Regrade the back slope into three gentle terraces with compacted soil benches, install two rock-edged swales to control runoff, and shape a flat 20 by 12 foot usable lawn area so it drains away from the patio by next Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Water and fertilize plants to promote healthy growth
+Set up a weekly irrigation and feed schedule for the south border: hand-water new shrubs twice weekly for…
Water and fertilize plants to promote healthy growth
+Set up a weekly irrigation and feed schedule for the south border: hand-water new shrubs twice weekly for three weeks, apply slow-release granular fertilizer to the beds at the end of the month, and record volumes applied and plant responses after each visit.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Install and maintain water features like ponds
+Dig and level the pond basin to the specified contours, install liner and filter chamber, set pump and…
Install and maintain water features like ponds
+Dig and level the pond basin to the specified contours, install liner and filter chamber, set pump and overflow to protect adjacent beds, backfill with washed stone, and run a twenty-point checklist to confirm no leaks before planting marginal species.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeWikipedia
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Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
+Adjust irrigation runtimes and emitter spacing across Building A and the north lawn today to cut nightly…
Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
+Adjust irrigation runtimes and emitter spacing across Building A and the north lawn today to cut nightly runtime by 25 percent, check each zone for leaks or blocked heads first, log meter readings, and notify Facilities if any valve won’t respond.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.
+Clear snow from the main walk, staff parking drive and loading zone at 7 Elm Street, push and shovel to bare…
Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.
+Clear snow from the main walk, staff parking drive and loading zone at 7 Elm Street, push and shovel to bare pavement, apply rock salt to high-traffic areas and plow-turn piles away from drains, then report completed areas to the supervisor.
The tools that do the workIBM NotesO*NET
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Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.
+Winterize the irrigation on the east campus today by blowing out each lateral to 40 psi, close and tag main…
Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.
+Winterize the irrigation on the east campus today by blowing out each lateral to 40 psi, close and tag main shutoff, drain backflow assemblies, note any cracked risers; schedule spring startup for March 15 and flag zones needing new nozzles.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses.
+Core aerate the natural turf on Field 2, test the soil profile at three points to confirm sand content and…
Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses.
+Core aerate the natural turf on Field 2, test the soil profile at three points to confirm sand content and drainage per the spec, add sand/topdress to low areas, and run irrigation to confirm no surface pooling afterward.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Haul or spread topsoil, or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.
+Load and spread eight cubic yards of screened topsoil on the west garden beds, feather edges to match grade,…
Haul or spread topsoil, or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.
+Load and spread eight cubic yards of screened topsoil on the west garden beds, feather edges to match grade, then cover newly seeded slopes with straw mulch and stake in place to prevent washout before the forecasted rain.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Apply pesticides or fertilizers (license required)
+Apply granular fertilizer and approved herbicide to the municipal medians today using licensed application…
Apply pesticides or fertilizers (license required)
+Apply granular fertilizer and approved herbicide to the municipal medians today using licensed application rates, post wetted areas with warning signs, log batch numbers and weather conditions, and file the pesticide use form with the office.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses