Landscaper career guide

What a Landscaper does

• Installs and maintains outdoor spaces such as gardens, lawns, parks and commercial grounds.
• Plants trees, shrubs, flowers and grass, and prepares soil and planting beds.
• Mows lawns, trims hedges, prunes plants and removes weeds.
• Builds or helps install features such as paths, edging, fences, patios and irrigation systems.
• Uses hand tools and powered equipment, and follows safety procedures.
• May work from a landscape plan, advise clients on plant choices or help design outdoor spaces.

The work can focus on maintenance, construction, planting or a mix of these.

A typical day

• Check the day’s jobs, plans, equipment and weather.
• Travel to a home, business, park or other work site.
• Prepare the site, move materials and carry out planting, mowing, pruning or construction tasks.
• Use and clean tools and equipment, and keep the work area safe.
• Coordinate with a team or update a client or supervisor on progress.

Tasks change with the season and the type of employer. Some jobs involve early starts, outdoor work in varied weather and travel between sites.

Skills you need

• Practical ability and confidence using tools and equipment.
• Physical fitness for lifting, digging, bending and working outdoors.
• An eye for detail, plants and how outdoor spaces look.
• Basic knowledge of plants, soil, watering and seasonal care.
• Teamwork, communication and a customer-friendly approach.
• Reliability, time management and the ability to follow plans.
• Awareness of safety, including safe equipment use and handling materials.

How to become one

Education

• A high school education or equivalent is often useful; specific requirements vary by employer and location.
• Classes or training in horticulture, landscaping, agriculture or construction can help, but may not be required for entry-level work.
• Practical experience is valuable. Volunteering in a garden or working in a related outdoor role can help you build it.

Certifications

• Requirements vary by location and job. Some roles may require a licence or certification to operate particular equipment or handle certain chemicals.
• First-aid training, equipment-safety training or a horticulture qualification can strengthen an application.
• Check local rules and employer requirements before paying for a course.

Entry routes

• Apply for an entry-level role with a landscaping, grounds-maintenance or gardening employer.
• Look for seasonal work, apprenticeships or traineeships where available.
• Start in a related role, such as nursery work or groundskeeping, and build landscaping skills on the job.
• Ask about training and progression opportunities when applying.

Career path

• Entry-level worker: Learns basic planting, maintenance, tool use and site safety.
• Experienced landscaper: Takes on more complex tasks and works with less supervision.
• Team leader or supervisor: Organises jobs, guides a crew and checks work quality.
• Specialist: Focuses on an area such as irrigation, planting, landscape construction or grounds maintenance.
• Business owner or contractor: Finds clients, estimates jobs, manages projects and oversees staff or subcontractors.

Progression depends on experience, training, the type of work and opportunities in your area.

Is it right for you?

Landscaping may suit you if you enjoy practical work, being outdoors and seeing the results of a job. It can be physically demanding, and conditions may include heat, cold, rain, noise and repetitive tasks. Consider whether you are comfortable with varied work sites, seasonal changes and using tools safely.

Current pay is in the salary guide.