Landscaping and Groundskeeping: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Landscaping and Groundskeeping is a specialized field focused on the professional care, enhancement, and sustainable management of both indoor and outdoor green spaces. This program equips learners with the technical expertise and strategic insight needed to execute and maintain ornamental, recreational, and functional landscapes in alignment with design visions from architects, designers, and clients.
- Horticultural Science: Core principles of plant biology, growth cycles, and environmental adaptation to support healthy plant development in diverse settings.
- Landscape Design Implementation: Skills to interpret and apply conceptual plans from landscape architects and designers to real-world outdoor and indoor environments.
- Soil and Irrigation Management: Techniques for assessing soil composition, selecting appropriate irrigation systems, and optimizing water use for plant health and sustainability.
- Turf and Groundcover Maintenance: Methods for cultivating, repairing, and sustaining grasses and low-growing plants in lawns, sports fields, and decorative areas.
- Plant Health and Nutrition: Strategies for diagnosing plant needs, applying fertilizers, and managing pests and diseases using integrated, eco-conscious approaches.
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Hands-on training in the safe and efficient use of mowers, trimmers, blowers, and other landscape machinery.
- Personnel and Project Supervision: Leadership competencies for managing teams, scheduling work, and ensuring operational efficiency on large-scale groundskeeping projects.
- Procurement and Supply Chain Logistics: Processes for sourcing plants, materials, tools, and supplies while maintaining cost-effectiveness and quality standards.
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Landscaping and Groundskeeping degrees, including Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers and Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,101,460 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1041 | $86,350 | $49,080 - $160,870 | 8,700 | N/A |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers 37-1012 | $56,170 | $39,270 - $83,080 | 124,130 | $27.01 |
| Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation 37-3012 | $45,200 | $34,590 - $58,910 | 25,200 | $21.73 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers 37-3011 | $38,090 | $29,990 - $53,900 | 943,430 | $18.31 |
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,287 in Louisiana to $68,375 in Michigan—a 62% difference. The highest-paying states include Michigan, Washington, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,101,460 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Landscaping and Groundskeeping by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 80 institutions offering Landscaping and Groundskeeping programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Landscaping and Groundskeeping is found at Valencia College (93 graduates), Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) (61 graduates), Merritt College (33 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (33 graduates), and Palo Alto College (PAC) (33 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 877 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
93 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
61 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Merritt College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
33 | Oakland, California | Public | merritt.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
33 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Palo Alto College (PAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
33 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
31 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| Spartanburg Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
27 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | sccsc.edu |
| Sandhills Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Pinehurst, North Carolina | Public | sandhills.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
21 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | cfcc.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
17 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Florida Gateway College (FGC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Lake City, Florida | Public | fgc.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Other Award
|
14 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology |
Associate's
|
14 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Public | pct.edu |
| Indian River State College (IRSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Fort Pierce, Florida | Public | irsc.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Clackamas Community College (CCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Oregon City, Oregon | Public | clackamas.edu |
| Edmonds College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Lynnwood, Washington | Public | edmonds.edu |
| Western Technical College (WTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
10 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | westerntc.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) |
Other Award
|
9 | Plainwell, Michigan | Public | michigan.gov |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
| Parkland College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | parkland.edu |
| Cabrillo College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Aptos, California | Public | cabrillo.edu |
| Cuyamaca College |
Associate's
|
7 | El Cajon, California | Public | cuyamaca.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
7 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Rome, Georgia | Public | gntc.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Other Award
|
7 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Associate's
|
7 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Piedmont Technical College (PTC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Greenwood, South Carolina | Public | ptc.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| College of Central Florida (CF) |
Other Award
|
6 | Ocala, Florida | Public | cf.edu |
| Palm Beach State College (PBSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Lake Worth, Florida | Public | palmbeachstate.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | mccneb.edu |
| NHTI-Concord's Community College (NHTI) |
Other Award
|
6 | Concord, New Hampshire | Public | nhti.edu |
| Kankakee Community College (KCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Kankakee, Illinois | Public | kcc.edu |
| East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Scooba, Mississippi | Public | eastms.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Other Award
|
4 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| Hawkeye Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Waterloo, Iowa | Public | hawkeyecollege.edu |
| Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Public | stcc.edu |
| Gateway Technical College |
Associate's
|
4 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | gtc.edu |
| Cosumnes River College (CRC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Sacramento, California | Public | crc.losrios.edu |
| Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | sbcc.edu |
| Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Melbourne, Florida | Public | easternflorida.edu |
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| Illinois Central College (ICC) |
Other Award
|
3 | East Peoria, Illinois | Public | icc.edu |
| SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology (SUNY Cobleskill) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Cobleskill, New York | Public | cobleskill.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| Southwestern College (SWC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Chula Vista, California | Public | swccd.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Other Award
|
2 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Americus, Georgia | Public | southgatech.edu |
| Joliet Junior College (JJC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Joliet, Illinois | Public | jjc.edu |
| Central Lakes College (CLC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
2 | Brainerd, Minnesota | Public | clcmn.edu |
| Delaware Valley University (DelVal) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Doylestown, Pennsylvania | Private | delval.edu |
| Trident Technical College (TTC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | tridenttech.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| Mendocino College |
Other Award
|
1 | Ukiah, California | Public | mendocino.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Other Award
|
1 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| Front Range Community College (FRCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Westminster, Colorado | Public | frontrange.edu |
| Danville Area Community College (DACC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Danville, Illinois | Public | dacc.edu |
| Kishwaukee College (Kish) |
Other Award
|
1 | Malta, Illinois | Public | kish.edu |
| Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Springfield, Illinois | Public | llcc.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Lorain County Community College (LCCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Elyria, Ohio | Public | lorainccc.edu |
| Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute |
Associate's
|
1 | Wooster, Ohio | Public | ati.osu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Landscaping and Groundskeeping programs
How much can I earn with a Landscaping and Groundskeeping degree?
Salaries for Landscaping and Groundskeeping graduates vary by role and location. Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $86,350 annually, while First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers earn around $56,170. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Michigan average $68,375 compared to $42,287 in Louisiana. Approximately 1,101,460 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Landscaping and Groundskeeping programs?
Currently 80 accredited institutions offer Landscaping and Groundskeeping degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Valencia College (93 graduates), Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) (61 graduates), and Merritt College (33 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Landscaping and Groundskeeping growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,174 in 2010 to a peak of 878 in 2020, before declining slightly to 877 in 2023-24. This represents a 25% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Landscaping and Groundskeeping degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers, and Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation. Related occupations employ approximately 1,101,460 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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