If you’ve got a passion for the outdoors and want a career where you can make a difference, the green industry includes a range of landscaping and lawn care jobs that offer these opportunities. The green industry employs more than 1 million people and encompasses about 515,000 businesses, according to a 2018 Landscape Services Industry Report by the National Association of Landscape Contractors (NALP). The top three green industry services are residential landscaping, commercial landscape maintenance and landscape construction.
The diverse landscaping workforce includes crew members who perform landscaping services, supervisors who oversee field operations, account managers who focus on business development and sales, and administrative personnel who oversee office-related tasks. Not only that, landscape design and construction requires the skills of landscape architects and designers, along with specialists who install patios and landscape features.
The broad range of career opportunities in the green industry explains why there are 721,943 jobs in landscaping, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you have no previous experience in landscaping, you can develop the skills to learn the trade and grow a fulfilling career where there’s variety, teamwork and benefits. Plus, you’ll gain the satisfaction of improving the outdoor environment.
So, how do you learn more about landscaping careers? What are the education requirements, and how do you find a job in the green industry? This guide will identify the types of jobs in landscaping that are available, and the qualifications to start and grow a rewarding career.
Companies can talk about career paths, but what skills will you need to climb the ladder? You might be wondering, if you are hired as a crew member at a landscaping company, what’s next?
Let’s follow a realistic career path that begins with an entry-level field position on a landscape maintenance crew.
When you are hired as a crew member to perform landscape maintenance, your job mainly involves mowing and edging the lawn, along with trimming and pruning shrubs and trees. You’ll report to a crew leader, who will provide direction to the team in the field. Crew members spend days working outdoors—there are sweltering hot days in the field in north Texas. You’ve got to appreciate nature and be a resilient person.(Back to the Table of Contents)
The great thing about the landscaping industry is the variety of jobs available—some requiring horticultural experience and landscaping knowledge, others demanding sales background, and plenty that are open to someone who is finishing school and/or does not have formal landscape training. Education requirements for landscaping jobs depend entirely on the job title and role.
Here’s an overview of the education requirements you can expect for common landscaping jobs.
You must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, be able to lift 50 pounds, and enjoy working outdoors. Ideally, you’ll have a working knowledge of chemical fertilizer application and outdoor pest control, with 2 or more years of industry experience and English speaking capability.
You should have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record, and four or more years of relevant lawn maintenance or landscape maintenance experience. Landscape companies are looking for leaders who are bilingual, communicate effectively with clients, and work effectively with office personnel and team members and are self-motivated. You should have a working knowledge of plant material and landscape installation
You’ll need a valid driver’s license, clean driving record and four or more years of relevant lawn care or landscape experience. Team leaders should be bilingual and communicate effectively with clients. You should have a strong working knowledge of operating power equipment including mowers, string trimmers, edgers, chain saws, sod cutters, pruning saws and blowers.
This position calls for a bachelor’s degree in horticulture or turf management or 5 to 10 years of direct industry experience. Spanish-speaking capability is helpful, as is a mechanical aptitude and knowledge of plants, grasses, and weeds.
If you have a 2- or 4-year horticulture degree or are working toward one, this position could be a great fit. Sales experience in the service industry and strong business acumen are important qualities.
The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma. You should have excellent customer service skills and a passion for helping people.
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Before any job interview, spend time to understand the job you are applying for and what the skills and training the position requires. Consider your strengths and career background and why you make a good fit for the landscaping job. (Hint: The employer might ask you this question, so might as well prepare!)
Also, research the landscape company and learn about the business. Spend some time on the company website and its social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. How long has the landscaping company been in business? What types of properties do they serve, and what is the company’s mission? Get a feel for whether their values align with yours.
Talk to others who work at the landscape company, if possible. If you don’t know anyone inside the organization, find out what employees are talking about on social media. For example, you might find comments about a company barbecue or insights from their work in the field.
Prepare responses to common interview questions. Be ready to talk about why you are interested in the landscaping job, and your strengths and weaknesses. What do you enjoy about working outdoors? The employer will probably ask when you are available to work, so go in knowing your schedule.
Also, prepare some questions to ask during the interview. Some examples: What else does the job require? What is the work culture like? What career paths are possible at the landscaping company? What skills will I need to build to move up to the next level? Do you provide training? How do you evaluate performance? Will you provide a uniform or am I responsible for purchasing appropriate clothing and shoes?
Finally, show your professionalism by dressing neatly and presenting yourself in the best way possible. Sure, there is “dirty work” involved in some landscaping jobs, but your future employer wants to know that you value the opportunity and will represent the company in a positive light.
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There are lots of landscaping companies out there, and maybe you’ve worked at one (or several) of them. If so, you know that there is a real difference between being on a crew at a landscape company that’s focused on its people and one that just wants you to mow, blow and go. So, how do you find the best landscaping company to work for in the Flower Mound and Highland Village, TX area? Here are some qualities to look for:
You can expect to make $15 to $20 per hour as a lawn care technician, and a bit more if you advance to a crew leader position. Account managers can earn a salary of $40,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on their level of experience. And, a field operations manager will make $45,000 to $65,000 annually
There are busy and slow seasons, but a professional landscape company will offer steady employment you can depend on.
Find out if the landscaping company offers paid time off and paid company holidays. Will you be required to purchase your uniform, or will the company provide it? (This can be an unexpected cost that take a chunk away from your first paycheck.) Are there annual bonus opportunities? Also ask about about company-sponsored health insurance.
Training is critical for a number of reasons. For one, training helps keep you safe on the job—safety is No. 1. Also, ongoing training keeps skills sharp and allows you to gain knowledge so you can develop and advance your career.
A family-owned business that aims to be the best landscaping company to work for by offering great benefits, competitive pay, career advancement and a fun, rewarding work environment.
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