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Landscaper vs ground worker

The differences between landscapers and ground workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a landscaper and a ground worker. Additionally, a ground worker has an average salary of $29,875, which is higher than the $28,952 average annual salary of a landscaper.

The top three skills for a landscaper include mowing, taking care and GRASS. The most important skills for a ground worker are mowing, GRASS, and hand tools.

Landscaper vs ground worker overview

LandscaperGround Worker
Yearly salary$28,952$29,875
Hourly rate$13.92$14.36
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs11,14733,720
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

What does a landscaper do?

A landscaper is responsible for maintaining gardens, plant areas, and other outdoor facilities. Landscapers' duties include reviewing and adjusting landscape design based on the clients' specifications, analyzing garden layouts, measuring land areas and surfaces for the design outlines, installing irrigation systems, maintaining plant growth, and applying fertilizers regularly. Landscapers will also work on removing weeds, trimming overgrown plants, checking defects on landscape equipment, and coordinating with other outdoor design professionals. A landscaper should be knowledgeable about the recent landscaping trends to suggest designs and improve the landscape presentation.

What does a ground worker do?

Groundworkers are part of the construction staff who prepares a site before building. They are responsible for removing the sewage, redirecting water flows using pumps, cementing the project site, and laying the curb. Usually, they provide the tools they need for projects. Groundworkers require basic numeracy because of the nature of their role. They must also be decisive and confident in the quality of their work. Most importantly, this job requires a high level of fitness for safe working in the location.

Landscaper vs ground worker salary

Landscapers and ground workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

LandscaperGround Worker
Average salary$28,952$29,875
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $36,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CitySanta Clara, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsAlaska
Best paying companyPrinceton UniversityMount St. Mary's University
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between landscaper and ground worker education

There are a few differences between a landscaper and a ground worker in terms of educational background:

LandscaperGround Worker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Landscaper vs ground worker demographics

Here are the differences between landscapers' and ground workers' demographics:

LandscaperGround Worker
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 91.0% Female, 9.0%Male, 85.7% Female, 14.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 1.5% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between landscaper and ground worker duties and responsibilities

Landscaper example responsibilities.

  • Manage clients and run all landscape operations including groundskeeping, seasonal cleaning, and pressure washing
  • Manage hardscape installation team and project
  • Operate powered equipment such as mowers, tractors, snow blowers, chainsaws, sod cutters, pruning saws and edgers.
  • Install plants, landscape lighting, and hardscape features (including retaining walls, paving stones and ponds).
  • Used various tools to cut grass, prune small trees and shrubbery, paint, and perform other landscaping duties.
  • Operate weed-whacker, leaf blower, lawn mower, and use of handsaw, shovels, and clippers as needed.
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Ground worker example responsibilities.

  • Manage hardscape installation team and project
  • Operate vehicles and power equipment such as mowers, snow blowers, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
  • Aid in the maintenance of equipment as needed (lawn mowers, tractors, weed-eaters, leaf blowers, etc . )
  • Mow rough, greens, fairways, hand water greens, spread seed on greens and fairways, rake sand traps.
  • Used both hand shovels and plow trucks to remove snow.
  • Operate backhoe and bobcat to assist plumbing and irrigation dept.
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Landscaper vs ground worker skills

Common landscaper skills
  • Mowing, 19%
  • Taking Care, 14%
  • GRASS, 12%
  • Power Saws, 11%
  • Prune, 7%
  • Golf Courses, 6%
Common ground worker skills
  • Mowing, 12%
  • GRASS, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Grounds Maintenance, 8%
  • Blowers, 4%
  • Routine Maintenance, 4%

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