Landscaping and groundskeeping workers
SOC Code: 37-3011
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers carries a 14% AI exposure score (Low automation risk), with a median annual wage of $38,090 and +3.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 1,192,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 14% AI exposure, Landscaping and groundskeeping workers sits 23 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 1% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Landscaping and groundskeeping workers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers has ai exposure of 14%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (SOC 37-3011) carries an AI exposure score of 14%, placing it in the Low automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 1,192,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.6% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $38,090, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Landscaping and groundskeeping workers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Gather and remove litter.
- 2. Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
- 3. Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
- 4. Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
- 5. Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
- 6. Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
- 7. Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
- 8. Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.
- 9. Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.
- 10. Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.
Key Skills Required
- Operation and Control
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Coordination
- Operations Monitoring
- Time Management
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Design
- Transportation
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Landscaping and groundskeeping workers?
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers has an AI exposure score of 14%, indicating a low level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Landscaping and groundskeeping workers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Landscaping and groundskeeping workers is projected to grow by 3.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 1,192,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Landscaping and groundskeeping workers?
Key skills for Landscaping and groundskeeping workers include Operation and Control, Speaking, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn?
The median annual wage for Landscaping and groundskeeping workers is $38,090, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Landscaping and groundskeeping workers?
The typical entry-level education for Landscaping and groundskeeping workers is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Landscaping and groundskeeping workers?
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Low automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).