Landscaping
About Landscaping
Landscaping is a skill that goes back thousands of years, yet it is still as effective and necessary as it was back then, today. Landscapers are responsible for the building and maintenance of all kinds of landscapes, including homes, gardens, schools, shopping centers, property buildings, parks, hospitals, and other outdoor facilities. The main job of a landscaper is to ensure the growth of plants while maintaining cleanliness of the outdoors. Of course, keeping the premises looking clean and well-kept in also a skill that landscapers implement well. These workers typically work for general landscaping companies or for more specific areas of their town, including public spaces to include city parks and playgrounds.
Landscapers do not require a college degree, only a high school diploma or GED and two years of landscaping experience that they can acquire from an apprenticeship. Since these workers must be precise in their way of placing structures and planting accordingly, landscapers should be well-oriented in their attention to detail and they must have excellent organizational skills.
Before beginning a career in landscaping, one should consider the other required skills that come with the job. Along with organizational skills and being able to communicate, landscapers should be able to lift up to 50 pounds and be able to understand the maintenance of lawns and managing pests. Since this type of work deals with nature and outdoor structures, landscapers must be able to submit themselves in an outdoor environment for extended periods of time. If you enjoy working outdoors and think you can bring your organization skills outside, perhaps landscaping is the job to consider!
Examples of Pre-Apprenticeship Skills
- Demonstrating the correct use of common tools and job site safety
- Planting, pruning, supplanting, and maintaining trees and other natural structures
- Treating lawns by seeding, edging and raking
- Installing plumbing for water features such as ponds or fountains
- Building structures such as fences or terraces
- Monitor the grounds for keep up a pleasant appearance
- Utilize pesticides to avoid lawns from attracting mosquitos or wasps
Landscaping Includes:
Landscapers work with both residential contracts and commercial projects. Some examples of businesses that would hire landscapers are remodelers, facility management companies and land developers. This type of work is mainly completed outdoors, no matter the weather conditions. Workers should be excelled in their creativity skills and communication.
Opportunities in a Landscaping Career
Because landscapers work in both the public and private sector, these workers are generally in high-demand and can find a career anywhere. They are able to work in parks, landscaping design firms, nurseries, and historic sites to show off their design skills while maintaining plant growth and wellness. Because landscapers beautify yards and add natural structures to residencies, they are also sought in the private sector as well. They also are needed in demanding times such as dealing with the results of hurricanes and other natural disasters. With endless opportunities, thedemand for landscape technicians is very high and estimated to grow nationwide over the next few years.
Potential Careers
- Landscape contractor
- Groundskeeper
- Landscape designer
- General contractor
- Landscape installer
Average Pay Rate
During pre-apprenticeship training, new landscapers receive anywhere between $12 to $14 an hour, depending on the employer. With continued training, those further experienced receive between $14 to $16 an hour. Once fully certified, landscapers can make between $40,000 to $55,000 a year, again, depending on the employer or the location. Full certification takes about 3 to 4 years, but the process is definitely worth it.
