Landscaper: career path and pay in the US
Where a Landscaper goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Landscaper / Groundskeeper to Landscape Contractor / Business Owner.
Also for the United Kingdom: Landscaper in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Landscaper / Groundskeeper
$30K to $45K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Landscaping Certification (optional) - Global, Health & Safety Certification (required) - Global.
Step 2 · 2 to 5 years
Landscaper / Senior Landscaper
$50K to $70K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Landscaping Certification - Global, NVQ Level 2/3 Horticulture - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global.
Step 3 · 5 to 10 years
Landscape Supervisor / Foreman
$55K to $80K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Landscaping Certification - Global, NVQ Level 3/4 Horticulture - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Business License (optional) - Global.
Step 4 · 10+ years
Landscape Contractor / Business Owner
$60K to $90K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Landscaping Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Horticulture - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Business License - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$30K to $45K → $60K to $90K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. The published figure for Landscape Contractor sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge areas
Education people bring
Job Zone 2, job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Other paths from here
- General Contractor
- Construction Manager
- Horticulturist
- Garden Designer
More Skilled Trades paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation, Tree Trimmers and Pruners, Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse, First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers, Agricultural Equipment Operators.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.