21 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You usually start early, often before 7 a.m., checking the day’s jobs: mowing, pruning, installing irrigation, or building small structures. Many crews load trucks, drive to sites, and spend most of the morning doing heavy outdoor tasks like mowing, mulching, or installing sprinklers.
Afternoons are for detail work—edging, planting, attaching tree support wires, or repairing irrigation. In winter some techs shovel snow and spread salt. Supervisors or office staff may use Microsoft Excel or Word to log jobs, schedules, and materials.
Yes. Applying pesticides legally usually requires a state pesticide applicator license; rules vary by state. For specialized equipment (like riding mowers or mini-excavators) your employer may require training or a certificate to show you can operate them safely.
Basic jobs—mowing, mulching, planting, pruning—don’t always need licenses, but carry proof of training and follow company safety rules. Keep records in Microsoft Office files if your company asks you to.
Excel is commonly used to track crew schedules, material quantities (mulch, topsoil), and irrigation zone counts. You might open a spreadsheet to see how much pipe and sprinkler heads a job needs, or to log hours and equipment maintenance.
Word or IBM Notes are used for work orders, customer instructions, or safety reports. You’ll often fill simple templates: site notes, plant lists, or a winterization checklist for irrigation systems.
BLS (2025) reports 952,640 people employed as landscaping and groundskeeping workers. Median pay is $39,150 per year; the lowest 10% earn about $31,150 and the top 10% about $56,730 per year.
Wages vary by region, skill (irrigation, pesticide license, tree removal), and employer. Commercial turf care, irrigation installation, or certified pesticide application tend to pay toward the higher end.
A landscape technician handles broad outdoor work: mowing, planting, irrigation, fences, small structures, and routine pruning. They install and maintain lawns, sprinkler systems, water features, and sometimes do snow removal or turf care.
An arborist specializes in tree care—diagnosis, advanced pruning, large tree removals, and often holds arborist certifications. If you remove dead or damaged large trees regularly, you'd likely need arborist training and specific safety gear.
Practical skills: safe operation of mowers, trimmers, and basic irrigation tools; proper pruning techniques; and correct fertilizer and mulch application. Practice mowing patterns, edging, attaching tree support wires, and winterizing sprinkler systems.
Soft skills: punctuality, clear notes for customers, and basic Excel/Word use for schedules and materials. If you plan to apply pesticides or run irrigation systems, get the required license and practice maintenance tasks like winterizing and spring start-up.