Groundskeeper

Your Fit

Income

$37K

Preparation

Minimal

Growth

3.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Groundskeeper?

A Groundskeeper is a professional responsible for maintaining outdoor landscapes, ensuring they are attractive, orderly, and healthy. This role involves a variety of tasks, from lawn care to the maintenance of paths and external facilities.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Groundskeeper.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Groundskeeper earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$29K per year	$34K per year	$37K per year	$45K per year	$51K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $11K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Groundskeeper do?

Work environment

Groundskeepers typically work in outdoor environments such as parks, gardens, sports fields, and around corporate or educational campuses. The job may involve exposure to various weather conditions and requires a degree of physical stamina for tasks like lifting and operating machinery.

Quick task list

Mows lawns, trims hedges, and prunes trees.
Plants and maintains flower beds and gardens.
Applies fertilizers and pesticides, following safety protocols.
Maintains paths, walkways, and outdoor furniture.
Removes litter and debris from outdoor areas.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Landscape Maintenance: Focusing on the upkeep of existing landscapes, including lawn care and plant health.
Turf Management: Specializing in the care of grass areas, particularly in sports grounds and golf courses.
Arboriculture: Concentrating on tree care, including pruning, disease management, and removal.
Irrigation Management: Managing watering systems for efficient and effective landscape irrigation.
Sustainable Landscaping: Employing environmentally friendly practices in landscape maintenance.

Description

Groundskeeping is a diverse field that combines elements of horticulture, landscaping, and maintenance. Professionals in this field require a solid understanding of plant care, soil management, and landscape design. It's a hands-on occupation that involves both routine tasks and creative projects like designing and implementing new landscape features.

The job requires physical fitness, as it involves a significant amount of manual labor, including lifting, bending, and operating machinery. Groundskeepers must also be knowledgeable about the use of various gardening tools and equipment, as well as safety practices related to their operation.

Groundskeeping offers the satisfaction of working outdoors and the opportunity to see the immediate impact of one's work. It appeals to those who enjoy physical activity and have a passion for nurturing and transforming outdoor spaces. The role can vary greatly depending on the employer, whether it's maintaining the pristine appearance of a golf course or ensuring public parks are safe and welcoming.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Transforming and maintaining the beauty of natural environments.
Physical activity and the opportunity to work outdoors.
Visible results of one's work contributing to the enjoyment of others in public or private spaces.

You might make a good Groundskeeper if you are...

Someone who enjoys working outdoors and doesn't mind various weather conditions.
Physically fit and comfortable with manual labor.
Interested in plants, gardening, and landscape design.
Detail-oriented, especially in maintaining and beautifying outdoor spaces.
Capable of working both independently and as part of a team.

Pros:

Satisfaction from creating and maintaining beautiful landscapes.
Opportunities to work in various settings, from private gardens to public parks.
Physical activity as part of the daily routine.

Cons:

Work can be physically demanding and sometimes repetitive.
Exposure to various weather conditions and potentially hazardous materials.
Seasonal variations in work availability, depending on the climate.

How to become a Groundskeeper

Typical education

Most groundskeeper positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. Additional vocational training or certifications in horticulture or landscaping can be beneficial but are not always necessary.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Environmental Science for understanding plant life and ecosystems.
Art and Design for a basic understanding of aesthetics in landscaping.
Physical Education to maintain physical fitness.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining a gardening or environmental club.
Volunteering for community beautification projects or park maintenance.
Participating in sports to build physical endurance.

Preparation after high school

Consider a certificate or associate degree in horticulture, landscaping, or a related field.
Gain experience through internships or part-time jobs in gardening, landscaping, or with a grounds maintenance crew.
Obtain certifications in specialized areas like pesticide application or arboriculture for career advancement.

More resources

Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) - Offers education and certification for grounds management professionals.
National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) - Provides resources and networking opportunities in landscaping.
Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) - Offers education and resources for those specializing in arboriculture.
Irrigation Association - Provides information and education on efficient irrigation techniques and systems.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.