The Dirt on Lawn Care Jobs

Lawn care jobs may not be glamorous, but they free the average homeowner from doing either hazardous or tedious work. Some positions can actually require a two-year or four-year degree depending on the position, but it is a growing industry with a lot of opportunities. This article takes a brief look some of the requirements for jobs available in lawn care today. These days it’s not just about teens mowing the grass for their summer jobs, lawn care is big business. Beginning wages are low for entry-level workers, and the jobs are often physically demanding. However, most entry-level positions do not even require a high-school diploma as they consist of performing simple tasks like mowing, using a leaf-blower, trimming, and so forth.

The pay can be better than minimum wage, although one should not expect high wages to start. They can range from an average of approximately $8.00-$10.00 per hour for these kinds of lawn care jobs to around $12.00 per hour for a pesticide applicator. Supervisors and senior workers can earn an average of approximately $16.00.For positions such as the pesticide applicator; certification is generally required by passing an exam to test their ability to safely handle and dispose of pesticides.

However, this can lead to some decent opportunities such as working for your local county as a municipal worker. Monthly wages can range from $2000-$3000 depending on where you live. Various organizations also offer official certification for groundskeepers and landscapers, such as the Professional Grounds Management Society for the former, and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America.

Self-Employment/Higher Education

Once people have certification and/or a wealth of experience, they can start working for themselves if they have an entrepreneurial bent. A person can earn as much as their skills will allow. For those who truly love plants and want to do something more than edging and trimming, consider getting a four-year college degree in horticulture.

Managerial positions are available that can pay upwards of $45,000 per year based on education and experience. Opportunities also exist for work at a horticultural center or arboretum. Lawn care jobs may be hard, but they are plentiful and can lead to much better things depending on your drive and motivation. The outlook is bright in this field, considering the increasing number of busy and stressed-out homeowners who would rather hand off this work to someone else. If you haven’t quite found your niche just yet, consider exploring jobs in lawn care.