If you’re the kind of person who loves being outdoors—and has a passion for all things green and growing—a career in landscaping might be a perfect fit. Job opportunities related to landscaping are more diverse than you might think, and can provide a fun and rewarding way to make a living.
Make no mistake, landscaping jobs aren’t easy. Many require long hours (especially during the busy spring and summer months), and some require certifications or a college degree. But these careers can be incredibly satisfying, and many people stay with them for decades.
If you have a green thumb, here are a few jobs you might want to check out:
Landscape technician. If you literally like being in the weeds, this is the job for you. Landscape technicians handle maintenance duties for clients, which means mastering a wide range of skills. Their job can include lawn care, trimming, planting, fertilizing, weeding, and keeping a close eye on overall landscape health. These are usually entry-level jobs, and most of them don’t require special certifications or degrees.
Landscape supervisor. A landscape supervisor is in charge of managing a landscaping crew, and it’s their duty to make sure the job is done right. They should be strong leaders, and experts in knowing how to keep properties looking their best. These jobs typically require years of experience as a landscape technician, or time spent in another similar position.
Irrigation technician. An irrigation technician is responsible for installing, overseeing, and troubleshooting irrigation systems. As irrigation systems have become more technical (especially with the advent of smart irrigation), these jobs are becoming more important, and require highly skilled professionals. Prerequisites for these jobs will vary.
Landscape architect. If you enjoy problem solving, are creative, and have good spatial reasoning skills, a landscape architect position might be just what you’re looking for. They work closely with clients to create landscape designs that are beautiful, functional, and sustainable. That means paying attention to factors including climate, available space, storm water management, building codes, and more. These positions typically require an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture, and many states also require landscape architects to be licensed.
Hardscape designer. Hardscape designers are similar to landscape architects, but with a more targeted focus. They design outdoor landscape features including patios, decks, fountains, walkways, fences, outdoor kitchens, pools, and more—basically any part of the landscape that’s not alive. Many hardscape designers hold undergraduate degrees in horticulture or plant science, but there aren’t universal requirements for this position.
Arborist. An arborist is a tree expert. They can work for landscaping companies, but they can also work for power companies, municipalities, or businesses that require extensive knowledge about trees. Arborists know how to plant, cultivate, and prune trees, protect them from diseases and pests, and can perform tree surgeries. Most arborists hold a professional certification.
Botanist. If plants are your passion, a career as a botanist might be worth looking into. Their job is similar to an arborist, except it covers all plants—not just trees. With almost 400,000 known species of plants in the world today, it’s a job that could easily keep you learning for a lifetime! Botanists are often involved with plant breeding and research, so their job can be a good mix of spending time both inside and outdoors. These positions almost always require an undergraduate degree in science, and some require a master’s degree or a botany doctorate.
If you’re looking for a great career where you can spend lots of time outdoors, a landscaping job is definitely something you should consider. If none of the jobs above catch your eye, there are plenty of other options to think about as well, including being a turf applicator technician, part of a snow removal team, or a mowing crew member. If you’re interested, we might even have an open position for you. And if you have any questions about a career in landscaping, contact us online or give us a call at 317-575-1100—we’d love to talk.
