Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
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.
AI Impact Summary
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 33/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 59% of all analyzed occupations. Of 28 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
28 tasks analyzed
Gather and remove litter.
Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain-saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.
Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots and spread salt in those areas.
Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.
Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.
Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.
Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.
Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.
Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.
Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.
Decorate gardens with stones or plants.
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.
Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment.
Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses used on the fields.
Advise customers on plant selection or care.
Haul or spread topsoil or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.
Mark design boundaries and paint natural or artificial turf fields with team logos or names before events.
Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.
Move furniture.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gather and remove litter. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 8% | |
| Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain-saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 8% | |
| Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders. | 55Estimated | 55.0% | 3% | |
| Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots and spread salt in those areas. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 2% | |
| Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 6% | |
| Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 3% | |
| Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 8% | |
| Rake, mulch, and compost leaves. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Decorate gardens with stones or plants. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 2% | |
| 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. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 2% | |
| Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses used on the fields. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 2% | |
| Advise customers on plant selection or care. | 57.27Observed | 37.9% | 2% | |
| Haul or spread topsoil or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Mark design boundaries and paint natural or artificial turf fields with team logos or names before events. | 85Estimated | 67.0% | 2% | |
| Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Move furniture. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 23.8%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$38,090
per year
Mean Wage
$40,880
per year
Employment
943K
workers
Wage Range
$29,990 - $53,900
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Fence Erectors
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Tire Repairers and Changers
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Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
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Nursery Workers
33%Median salary: $35,690
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Rock Splitters, Quarry
36%Median salary: $47,460
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Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
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Higher risk than 75% of other occupations
Helpers--Production Workers
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Higher risk than 79% of other occupations
Sales Managers
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Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
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Advertising and Promotions Managers
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Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change