Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
O*NET-SOC code
37-3011.00

Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

  • Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08

    Low· relative

    LowFour relative bandsVery high

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)

    831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band

    Source dataset (XLSX download)

  • Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03

    0.000

    0.000Range of values carried here0.745
    Scale, basis and source

    Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Mapped onto O*NET tasks

    Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value

    Source dataset (CSV download)

  • Data source: ILOPublished: 2025

    0.12

    0.09Range of values carried here0.70

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published

    Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

27 rated tasks · 2 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (7.4%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

  • Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
  • 8 rated tasks are not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; their scores are kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
Source
OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release
gh-main-0471612
License
MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Task (O*NET 30.2)Claude.aiRaw / share %
Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.

37-3011.00

0.00000.0
Not observed on any surface — 25 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states.
Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
—0
Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
—0
Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
—0
Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
—0
Gather and remove litter.
—0
Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
—0
Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
—0
Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.
—0
Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.
—0
Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.
—0
Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs, and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.
—0
Decorate gardens with stones or plants.
—0
Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
—0
Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
—0
Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.
—0
Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.
—0
Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.
—0
Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.
—0
Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses.
—0
Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
—0
Haul or spread topsoil, or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.
—0
Advise customers on plant selection or care.
—0
Care for artificial turf fields, periodically removing the turf and replacing cushioning pads or vacuuming and disinfecting the turf after use to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
—0
Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment.
—0
Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.
—0

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (19)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)Type
Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.Core
Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.Core
Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.Core
Gather and remove litter.Core
Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.Core
Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.Core
Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.Supplemental
Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.Supplemental
Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.Supplemental
Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.Supplemental
Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.Supplemental
Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.Supplemental
Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.Supplemental
Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.Supplemental
Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs, and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.Supplemental
Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses.Supplemental
Haul or spread topsoil, or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.Supplemental
Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.Supplemental
Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.Supplemental

Occupation information

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025
1.2M
Projected employment, 2035
1.2M
Change (2025–35)
+4.7%
Median annual wage, 2025
$39,150
Typical education needed for entry
No formal educational credential
lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO codeKSCO titleRelationStatus
61220조경원Same scopeconfirmed
61212화훼작물 재배원Related, not a matchconfirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

  • ISCO-08 9214Garden and Horticultural Labourers

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Garden and horticultural labourers perform simple and routine tasks in operations to cultivate and maintain trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants in parks and private gardens, to produce saplings, bulbs and seeds, or grow vegetables and flowers by intensive cultivation techniques.

Tasks

  • (a) loading, unloading and moving supplies, produce and equipment;
  • (b) preparing garden sites and plots using hand tools and simple machines;
  • (c) assisting with planting and transplanting flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns;
  • (d) maintaining gardens by watering, weeding and mowing lawns;
  • (e) cleaning gardens and removing rubbish;
  • (f) assisting with propagating, planting and potting seeds, bulbs and cuttings;
  • (g) tending plants by hand watering and weeding;
  • (h) harvesting and packaging plants for sale and transport;
  • (i) performing minor repairs on fixtures, buildings, equipment and fences.

Example occupations

Garden labourer · Horticultural labourer · Lawn mower · Nursery labourer

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

  • groundsman/groundswomanESCO 6113.1Same scope

    Groundsmen/groundswomen provide landscape and lawn services and maintain grounds for private households, commercial and public facilities, schools, hotels, botanical gardens, golf courses, parks and athletic fields.\

  • garden labourerESCO 9214.1This occupation is broader

    Garden labourers perform simple tasks in cultivating and maintaining flowers, trees and shrubs. This work can take place in either parks or private gardens.

  • landscape gardenerESCO 6113.6This occupation is broader

    Landscape gardeners plan, construct, renovate and maintain parks, gardens and public green spaces.

  • curator of horticultureESCO 2131.4.6.1Overlapping, not the same

    Curators of horticulture develop and maintain the botanical collections, exhibits and landscapes of a botanical garden.

  • horticulture workerESCO 6113.4Overlapping, not the same

    Horticulture workers carry out practical activities and assist in nurseries or greenhouses for the production of horticultural crops.

  • land-based machinery operatorESCO 8341.2Overlapping, not the same

    Land-based machinery operators operate specialised equipment and machinery for agricultural production and maintenance of landscape.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME codeROME title (French)Relation
A1203Agent / Agente d'entretien des espaces vertsThis occupation is broaderprovisional
A1208Jardinier / Jardinière paysagisteThis occupation is broaderprovisional
A1220Jardinier / Jardinière paysagiste en terrain de sportThis occupation is broaderprovisional
K2314Technicien / Technicienne de maintenance de systèmes d'irrigationRelated, not a match

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 codeCNO-11 title (Spanish)Relation
6120Trabajadores cualificados en huertas, invernaderos, viveros y jardinesOverlapping, not the same
9512Peones agrícolas en huertas, invernaderos, viveros y jardinesOverlapping, not the same

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB codeKldB title (German)Relation
12101Berufe im Gartenbau (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/AnlerntätigkeitenThis occupation is broader
12142Berufe im Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenThis occupation is broader
12132Berufe in der Friedhofsgärtnerei - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenThis occupation is broaderprovisional
12102Berufe im Gartenbau (ohne Spezialisierung) - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
34112Platz- und Gerätewarte/-wartinnen - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO codeJSCO title (Japanese)Relation
463植木職，造園師This occupation is broaderprovisional
713道路・公園清掃員Related, not a matchprovisional
739その他の運搬・清掃・包装等従事者Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources