Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers
(NOC 8612)
in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and MiningLandscaping and grounds maintenance labourers help construct landscapes and related structures, and to maintain lawns, gardens, athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, parks, landscaped interiors, and other landscaped areas. They work for landscaping and lawn care companies, golf courses, cemeteries, and landscaping operations of public works departments and private companies.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
The employment level of landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers was reduced somewhat by the pandemic. Some employers like resorts, golf courses, and municipalities hired a smaller complement of seasonal staff as a cost-saving measure. Tasks changed for some workers in this occupation as streamlined landscaping and grounds teams needed to prioritize essential maintenance over nonessential projects.
Employment in this occupation is expected to increase as urban areas continue to expand, particularly in the Halifax region. Employers sometimes have trouble filling positions and there is a high rate of turnover among workers. The seasonality and physically demanding nature of the job may be a deterrent to some jobseekers. However, if an individual is willing to cope with the working conditions, they should be able to find employment during the spring with relative ease.
The median employment income for the 13% of Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $34,305. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, the 59% of those who worked full-time, year-round had a median employment income of $43,600. (Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$12.95
Minimum$16.00
Median$21.43
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,309
Minimum$12,638
Median$42,131
MaximumCompared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$24.84
Median$32.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$4,009
Minimum$23,520
Median$87,170
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers help construct landscapes and related structures, and to maintain lawns, gardens, athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, parks, landscaped interiors, and other landscaped areas. They work for landscaping and lawn care companies, golf courses, cemeteries, and landscaping operations of public works departments and private companies.
Job duties
Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers:
- Spread topsoil, lay sod, plant flowers, grass, shrubs, and trees and perform other duties to help construct landscape and related structures.
- Cut grass, rake, fertilize and water lawns, weed gardens, prune shrubs and trees, and complete other maintenance duties as directed by supervisor.
- Maintain lawns and grass along roadsides.
- Use and maintain power mowers, tractors, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, pruning saws, snowblowers and other landscape maintenance equipment.
- Spray and dust trees, shrubs, lawns, and gardens, as directed, to control insects and disease.
- Complete other manual duties to clean and maintain landscaped environments.
Sample job titles
- golf course labourer
- grounds maintenance worker
- groundskeeper
- landscape worker
- lawn care worker
- lawn mower
- park maintenance labourer
- snow shoveller - grounds maintenance
- tree pruner - landscaping
Skills
You should have good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and mechanical aptitude would be helpful. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.
Job requirements
- Some high school education may be required.
- A provincial licence to apply chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides may be required.
Other considerations
Most workers in these jobs work for part of the year and typically earn less than half the yearly income of employees who work for the whole year. Wages will vary according to the specific type of work performed, and annual incomes of many workers in these jobs are relatively low. They are often exposed to harsh weather conditions. The physical demands of this work may make it difficult for people to stay in these jobs for a long time. Progression to technical or supervisory jobs in landscaping and horticulture is possible with additional training or experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Cape Breton
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Public administration
Accommodation and food services
Construction
What is the age of Employment?
15-24
55-64
45-54
25-34
35-44
65+
Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
45-54
15-24
55-64
35-44
25-34
Top levels of education
High school
$10,508 median annual incomeLess than high school
$11,159 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$18,908 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$17,573 median annual incomeBachelor
$12,585 median annual incomeCompared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Less than high school
$23,463 median annual incomeHigh school
$19,301 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$29,551 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$31,535 median annual incomeBachelor
$17,956 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult High School Siploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramThe Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs apply scientific principles of controlling the animal and weed infestation of domesticated plant populations including agricultural crops, preventing/reducing economic loss, and controlling environmental pollution and degradation related to pest infestation and pest control measures. They include courses in entomology, applicable animal sciences, plant pathology and physiology, weed science, crop science, and environmental toxicology.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.