Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Grounds maintenance workers typically do not need a formal educational credential and are trained on the job. States may require licensing for workers who apply pesticides and fertilizers. PayThe median hourly wage for grounds maintenance workers was $19.27 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of grounds maintenance workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 162,500 openings for grounds maintenance workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for grounds maintenance workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of grounds maintenance workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about grounds maintenance workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for grounds maintenance workers was $19.27 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of grounds maintenance workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 162,500 openings for grounds maintenance workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for grounds maintenance workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of grounds maintenance workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about grounds maintenance workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of grounds maintenance workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 162,500 openings for grounds maintenance workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for grounds maintenance workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of grounds maintenance workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about grounds maintenance workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Grounds maintenance workers install and maintain landscapes, prune trees or shrubs, and do other tasks to ensure that vegetation is attractive, orderly, and safe.
Work Environment
Most grounds maintenance work is done outdoors in all weather conditions. Some work is seasonal, available mainly in the spring, summer, and fall. The work may be repetitive and physically demanding, requiring frequent bending, kneeling, lifting, or shoveling.
How to Become a Grounds Maintenance Worker
Grounds maintenance workers typically do not need a formal educational credential and are trained on the job. States may require licensing for workers who apply pesticides and fertilizers.
Pay
The median hourly wage for grounds maintenance workers was $19.27 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of grounds maintenance workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 162,500 openings for grounds maintenance workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for grounds maintenance workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of grounds maintenance workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about grounds maintenance workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most grounds maintenance work is done outdoors in all weather conditions. Some work is seasonal, available mainly in the spring, summer, and fall. The work may be repetitive and physically demanding, requiring frequent bending, kneeling, lifting, or shoveling.
How to Become a Grounds Maintenance Worker
Grounds maintenance workers typically do not need a formal educational credential and are trained on the job. States may require licensing for workers who apply pesticides and fertilizers.
Pay
The median hourly wage for grounds maintenance workers was $19.27 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of grounds maintenance workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 162,500 openings for grounds maintenance workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for grounds maintenance workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of grounds maintenance workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about grounds maintenance workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for grounds maintenance workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of grounds maintenance workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about grounds maintenance workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about grounds maintenance workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.