21 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You usually work outside, starting by driving to client sites and checking work orders in Microsoft Excel or a printed schedule. Mornings often focus on mowing, trimming, pruning, or applying herbicide where licensed, then installing or fixing irrigation and sprinkler systems in the afternoon.
Expect physical tasks: mulching, hauling topsoil, shaping land, and removing debris. Some days you spend hours adjusting irrigation to save water; other days are mostly customer calls, planning plant care, or winterizing systems for clients.
Yes. Applying restricted pesticides or commercial fertilizers typically requires a state pesticide applicator license or certification. Rules vary by state, so check your state agriculture department for exact steps and exams.
Without a license you can still do mowing, mulching, pruning, irrigation maintenance, and debris removal. Many employers will pay for your licensing course and exam once you’ve been hired.
You’ll use landscaping equipment like mowers, trimmers, shovels, trucks, trailers, and irrigation tools. For documentation and scheduling you’ll often use Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, or Microsoft Office to write work orders and log treatments.
Some companies use Facebook for customer communication or IBM Notes for internal messaging. You will also use measuring tools for soil composition and devices for sprinkler installation and winterizing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 952,640 people are employed in this field with a median pay of $39,150 per year. The lowest tenth earn about $31,150, and the top tenth earn about $56,730 per year (BLS).
Pay varies by state, duties (licensed applicator vs. general labor), seasonal work, and employer size. Overtime, commercial accounts, or running your own crew can raise earnings.
A Weed Control Specialist focuses more on plant health and weed control: applying herbicides, adjusting irrigation to reduce weeds, and advising on plant care. Landscapers design and install hardscapes, plantings, and decorative features; groundskeepers maintain sports fields and large grounds.
There is overlap: both mow, prune, mulch, and install sprinklers. The key difference is licensing and the emphasis on pesticide/fertilizer use and targeted weed management for this role.
Learn to read and record treatment and maintenance details accurately in Excel or simple work orders. Clear records prevent overdosing chemicals and show when to start or winterize irrigation systems.
Combine that with safe handling of equipment and pesticide rules. If you can both operate gear well and keep tidy logs, you’ll be trusted with licensed applications and larger jobs sooner.