Landscape Technician: What is the cost of hiring?

What is a Landscaper?

A Landscaper maintains and makes improvements to exterior property, typically by performing tasks like mowing, trimming, planting, mulching and seasonal clean-up. They may also design gardens, yard components and common outdoor spaces, working with Property Managers, Landscape Architects and other professionals to execute the plans.

Why hire a Landscaper?

Landscapers help maintain outdoor spaces, ensuring properties are healthy, functional and attractive. This role can support safety by keeping grounds well-groomed and hazard free, reducing risks for your business. Landscape work can also improve customer and employee experience.

Contributions of a great Landscaper:

• Consistent maintenance of lawns, gardens and plant beds
• Improved curb appeal for business locations
• Reduced liability when hazards like overgrowth or uneven walkways are addressed

Defining your hiring needs for Landscapers

As you plan how to hire a Landscaper, consider the scale and frequency of work needed to maintain your outdoor spaces. You might want a full-time employee for large properties or frequent upkeep, though part-time or seasonal support may be appropriate for more limited needs.

Clarifying the types of tasks involved, such as lawn care, planting, irrigation or snow removal, can help determine if a General Landscaper is the right fit. Depending on your needs, you might also consider Groundskeepers, Landscape Technicians or Maintenance Technicians.

What are the types of Landscapers?

Landscapers may specialize in different areas of outdoor maintenance and design depending on property needs, regional climates and seasonal demands. Common types of landscapers include:

• Landscape Maintenance Workers: These employees tend to focus on everyday maintenance tasks like mowing, edging and pruning. They’re generally concerned with regular upkeep of gardens and lawns, but they might be tasked with seasonal planting or helping with new installations. 
• Landscape Installation Technicians: These professionals are more likely to handle new construction landscape. They plant trees, install sod and help build retaining walls. They may work with General Contractors or other exterior construction specialists on larger jobs where landscape is only part of the work.
• Irrigation Specialists: This type of landscape professional designs and installs irrigation systems to support plant health across a property. They also help maintain those systems.
• Hardscape Installers: These workers build non-plant landscape elements like walkways and stone walls. They might also work with contractors or other landscape professionals to implement a larger project.

When writing your Landscaper job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on Quality Assurance Analyst jobs, according to Indeed data:

• Landscaping
• Laborer
• Landscape
• Lawn care
• Landscaping Laborer
• General labor
• Lawn mowing
• Garden
• Construction
• Seasonal

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Where to find Landscapers

Landscapers can be found through skilled trades job boards, community job centers, vocational programs and seasonal hiring events. Partnering with landscaping or horticulture training programs or attending local job fairs can help you find candidates with hands-on experience.

To find the right Landscaper for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Internal promotions: Consider promoting someone from your grounds or maintenance teams. Crew members with experience in basic landscaping tasks may be ready to step into more specialized or supervisory roles.
• Skilled trade staffing agencies: Partner with recruitment agencies that focus on seasonal, skilled trade or groundskeeping roles to connect with candidates.
• Networking: Ask local contractors, horticulture associations or landscaping supply vendors for recommendations. 
• Social media: Use platforms like Facebook or community-specific pages to promote job openings and highlight the types of projects your team works on to attract skilled landscapers.
• Post your job online: Try posting your Landscaper job on Indeed to find and attract candidates.

Skills to look for in a Landscaper

A successful Landscaper candidate will typically have the following skills and competencies, which may be gained through a variety of experiences, training or education:

• Experience operating and maintaining landscaping equipment such as mowers, trimmers, aerators and blowers
• Knowledge of regional plant species, soil conditions and climate-related lawn care needs
• Ability to interpret landscaping blueprints or site plans for planting and hardscaping tasks
• Familiarity with irrigation system installation and troubleshooting
• Skill in applying fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides safely and according to regulations
• Ability to move supplies, such as soil and plants, and work outdoors in various weather conditions

Writing a Landscaper job description

Now that you know the key skills, salary expectations, popular job seeker search terms and hiring insights for a Landscaper, you’re ready to write a job description.

A Landscaper job description typically includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position. You may also want to include information about your company culture, benefits and perks to attract candidates to your open role.

Ready to get started? See our full guide for writing Landscaper job descriptions.

Interviewing Landscaper candidates

Strong candidates for Landscaper positions will be confident answering questions about:

• Operating and maintaining landscaping tools and equipment
• Identifying plants, pests and appropriate care techniques
• Managing time and tasks across multiple outdoor projects
• Following safety protocols for chemical applications and equipment use
• Collaborating with clients or team members to implement landscape plans