AITakeover Tracker
33%medium risk

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.

Higher risk than 59% of occupations

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 Ordering5%

Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

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/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Service Orientation82%

Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Equipment Maintenance78%

Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (7)

Critical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringActive LearningSystems AnalysisWritingTechnology Design

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

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.5pt risk+$2K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Courserabeginner

Google UX Design Professional Certificate

by Google

~5 months$49/mo4.8Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Critical Thinking

Estimated Impact

-4.6pt risk+$2K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Coursera

Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence

by Case Western Reserve University

32 hours$49/mo4.8Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Adaptability/Flexibility

Estimated Impact

-3.6pt risk+$2K/yr salary

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

Less than High School39%
High School Diploma8%
Some College31%
Associate's Degree3%
Bachelor's Degree18%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None17%
1-3 months22%
6 months - 1 year13%
1-2 years40%
2-4 years1%
4-6 years3%
Over 10 years3%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None35%
Up to 1 month18%
1-3 months11%
3-6 months4%
6 months - 1 year13%
1-2 years16%
4-6 years1%
6-8 years2%

How AI Impacts Each Task

28 tasks analyzed

Gather and remove litter.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 5%

Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 8%

Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain-saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.

Risk: 59.0%AI: 65EstimatedTime: 8%

Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 4%

Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 5%

Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.

Risk: 55.0%AI: 55EstimatedTime: 3%

Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 2%

Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 3%

Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots and spread salt in those areas.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 3%

Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 2%

Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 2%

Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 6%

Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.

Risk: 84.0%AI: 87EstimatedTime: 3%

Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 4%

Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 2%

Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 5%

Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.

Risk: 63.0%AI: 75EstimatedTime: 8%

Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 5%

Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 3%

Decorate gardens with stones or plants.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 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.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 2%

Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 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.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 2%

Advise customers on plant selection or care.

Risk: 37.9%AI: 57.27ObservedTime: 2%

Haul or spread topsoil or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 3%

Mark design boundaries and paint natural or artificial turf fields with team logos or names before events.

Risk: 67.0%AI: 85EstimatedTime: 2%

Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 2%

Move furniture.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 23.8%

Essential Soft Skills

Traits that are hard for AI to replicate

IntegrityAttention to DetailSelf ControlCooperationDependabilityAchievement/EffortConcern for OthersAdaptability/FlexibilityStress ToleranceInitiativeIndependencePersistence

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

$29,990Median: $38,090$53,900
Career Planning

Explore other career paths

Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.

Alternate Career Paths

See all transitions

Construction Laborers

18%
Low Risk

Median salary: $46,730

Higher risk than 4% of other occupations

Logging Equipment Operators

20%
Low Risk

Median salary: $49,210

Higher risk than 7% of other occupations

Pipelayers

22%
Low Risk

Median salary: $48,710

Higher risk than 10% of other occupations

Fence Erectors

23%
Low Risk

Median salary: $46,940

Higher risk than 14% of other occupations

Tire Repairers and Changers

32%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $37,120

Higher risk than 52% of other occupations

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

33%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $36,150

Higher risk than 55% of other occupations

Nursery Workers

33%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $35,690

Higher risk than 59% of other occupations

Rock Splitters, Quarry

36%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $47,460

Higher risk than 70% of other occupations

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

38%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $35,930

Higher risk than 75% of other occupations

Helpers--Production Workers

40%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $38,220

Higher risk than 79% of other occupations

Sales Managers

25%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 20% of other occupations

Chief Executives

26%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 23% of other occupations

General and Operations Managers

28%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 29% of other occupations

Marketing Managers

30%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 38% of other occupations

Advertising and Promotions Managers

31%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 43% of other occupations

Computer and Information Systems Managers

31%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 45% of other occupations

Subscribed — always updated

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

+3.9

overall change

Checking for existing plan...