by Chet Bodin
March 2017
Yardkeeper is a general term for many landscaping, grounds keeping, and other outdoor maintenance occupations that require a variety of skill and education levels. Yardkeepers can also be found working for a variety of industries and employers, from golf courses to private households. In Minnesota the workers most associated with yardkeepers are known as “Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers”. According to DEED Occupational and Employment Statistics for 2016 (OES) Minnesota had almost 15,000 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, who earned a median wage of $12.53 per hour. This was almost 40¢ an hour more than the median wage for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers throughout the United States, which was $12.15 per hour in 2016 (see Table 1).
| Table 1. 2016 Employment and Wages by Planning Region: Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 2016 Employment | 25th Percentile Hourly Wage | Median Hourly Wage | 75th Percentile Hourly Wage | 25th Percentile Annual Wage | Annual Median Wage | 75th Percentile Annual Wage |
| U. S. | 895,600 | $10.11 | $12.15 | $15.23 | $21,025 | $25,277 | $31,680 |
| Minnesota | 14,900 | $10.18 | $12.53 | $16.68 | $21,177 | $26,065 | $34,709 |
| Central MN | 1,440 | $10.23 | $11.98 | $14.31 | $21,289 | $24,914 | $29,771 |
| Northeast MN | 760 | $9.45 | $12.08 | $15.84 | $19,663 | $25,130 | $32,952 |
| Northwest MN | 1,530 | $9.54 | $11.10 | $14.40 | $19,850 | $23,090 | $29,961 |
| Southeast MN | 770 | $10.20 | $12.39 | $17.16 | $21,208 | $25,778 | $35,697 |
| Southwest MN | 950 | $9.04 | $10.68 | $13.65 | $18,810 | $22,220 | $28,394 |
| 7-County Metro, MN | 8,290 | $10.72 | $13.67 | $17.96 | $22,315 | $28,447 | $37,341 |
| Source: DEED Occupational Employment Statistics, 2016 | |||||||
However, many other occupations could also be considered in the “Yardkeeper” category, and it takes different levels of education and training to perform them. For example, a landscaper who would like to become a manager or supervisor would benefit from obtaining a high school education when performing duties such as preparing estimates or reviewing contracts. And, not only would their responsibilities increase, but the median hourly wage of first-line supervisors of landscapers is over $9.00 per hour more than landscapers in general.
Several education programs throughout Minnesota help yard/landscapers obtain training. These programs range from one year postsecondary certificates to Master’s degrees. For workers new to yardkeeping and landscaping, an Associate’s Degree may be the best track to employment. According to DEED’s Graduate Employment Outcomes, nearly 80 percent of Associate’s Degree graduates from “applied horticulture” programs were employed two years after graduating and earning close to $14.00 an hour. In addition, some postsecondary programs in Minnesota help yard/landscaping workers find a specialty, such as greenhouse or golf course operations.
Besides education, professional accreditation also helps landscapers develop their skillset and improve their wages. Beyond the occupations listed by the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) and defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, yardkeeping and landscaping work often becomes more specialized. Skilled landscapers can become professionally certified in fields such as arboriculture and irrigation. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) requires a landscape specialist license to “perform or supervise plant installation and establishment work” with or for MnDOT (see Table 3).
For those with a high school diploma, some certificates will even help landscapers move into management. Given that there are over 400 openings for supervisors and managers in landscaping, the depth of these certification opportunities is encouraging for anyone looking to make landscaping a career.
| Table 2. "Yardkeeping" related Occupations by Education and Projected Growth 2014-2024, Minnesota | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOC | Occupation Title | 2014 Employment | Education Required | Median Hourly Wage | Projected Growth 2014-2024 | Total Openings 2014-2024 |
| 373011 | Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 18,110 | Less than High School | $12.53 | 770 | 4,030 |
| 371012 | First-Line Supervisors/ Managers of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | 2,030 | High School diploma or equivalent | $21.71 | 71 | 410 |
| 373013 | Tree Trimmers and Pruners | 1,210 | High School diploma or equivalent | $18.62 | 41 | 260 |
| 171012 | Landscape Architects | 627 | Bachelor's Degree | $27.22 | 19 | 120 |
| Source: DEED Career and Education Explorer, 2016 | ||||||
| Table 3. Yardkeeping-related Professional Certifications | |
|---|---|
| Certification Name | Certifying Organization |
| Arborist / Municipal Specialist | International Society of Arboriculture |
| Certified Arborist | International Society of Arboriculture |
| Certified Arborist/Utility Specialist | International Society of Arboriculture |
| Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor | Irrigation Association |
| Certified Grounds Manager | Professional Grounds Management Society |
| Certified Grounds Technician | Professional Grounds Management Society |
| Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor | Irrigation Association |
| Certified Master Arborist | International Society of Arboriculture |
| Certified Tree Worker/Tree Climber Specialist | International Society of Arboriculture |
| Certified Tree Care Safety Specialist | Tree Care Industry Association |
| Commercial Fire Sprinkler Inspector | International Code Council |
| Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural Technician | National Association of Landscape Professionals |
| Landscape Industry Certified Lawn Care Technician | National Association of Landscape Professionals |
| Landscape Industry Certified Lawn Care Technician-National | National Association of Landscape Professionals |
| Landscape Industry Certified Manager | National Association of Landscape Professionals |
| Landscape Industry Certified Technician - Exterior | National Association of Landscape Professionals |
| Water-Based Systems Layout - I | National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies |
| Water-Based Systems Layout - II | National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies |
| Water-Based Systems Layout - III | National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies |
| Water-Based Systems Layout - IV | National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies |
| License Name | Licensing Organization |
| MnDOT Landscape Specialist Certification | Minnesota Department of Transportation |
| Source: DEED Career and Education Explorer Tool, 2016 | |
