Trade Spotlight: Commercial Landscaping

Designing, building, and maintaining outdoor spaces isn’t just about mowing lawns—it’s a skilled trade with solid earning potential and year-round work. If you’ve got an eye for detail, don’t mind getting dirty, and like seeing the impact of your work in real time, commercial landscaping might be your kind of career.

🌤️ Job Outlook: Steady Growth & Year-Round Need

Commercial landscaping isn’t seasonal fluff. It's essential work for:

• Office parks & corporate campuses

• Retail centers & apartment complexes

• Hospitals, schools, and city properties

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, landscaping and groundskeeping jobs are projected to grow about 5% through 2032—right on par with the national average. But within the commercial side of things, there’s even more opportunity thanks to expanding urban development and rising standards for public and private spaces.

And here’s the kicker: maintenance is just the beginning. Commercial landscapers also get into:

• Hardscaping (pavers, retaining walls, patios)

• Irrigation systems

• Planting & sod installation

• Snow removal in colder climates

• Erosion control and site grading

In other words, it’s a real trade—with real specialization options.

🎓 Training & Certifications: Start Simple, Grow Your Skills

Getting started doesn’t require a college degree. Most commercial landscapers begin with on-the-job training. But if you're aiming for more responsibility and higher pay, consider:

• Landscape Industry Certified Technician
  Offered by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)

• OSHA 10 or 30 Certification
  For safe jobsite practices—often required by commercial clients

• Pesticide Applicator License
  Varies by state but opens doors for spray tech work and higher wages

• Irrigation and Hardscape Certifications
  Through the Irrigation Association or ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute)

You can start as a laborer and move into crew lead, foreman, estimator, or even project management roles in just a few years with experience and hustle.

🔧 What Skills Actually Matter?

You don’t need to be a botanist. You do need:

• Good physical stamina
  You’ll be lifting, bending, and moving all day—often in hot or cold weather.

• Attention to detail
  Clients pay for clean lines, symmetry, and professional results.

• Equipment handling
  Mowers, trimmers, blowers, skid steers, trenchers, and compact loaders are all in play.

• Teamwork & reliability
  You can’t build a retaining wall solo—and you can’t miss deadlines on commercial projects.

• Willingness to learn
  New products, irrigation systems, and plant materials roll out all the time.

💵 Income Range: From Entry-Level to Entrepreneur

Commercial landscaping wages vary based on your region, certifications, and whether you’re on the tools or managing crews. Here's a general breakdown:

Entry-Level Laborer $15–$20/hour $30,000–$42,000/year

Crew Leader / Foreman $20–$28/hour $40,000–$58,000/year

Irrigation or Spray Tech $22–$30/hour $45,000–$62,000/year

Estimator / Project Manager $28–$38+/hour $58,000–$85,000+/year

Small Business Owner $70,000–$150,000+

Many commercial landscapers start their own companies after gaining 5–10 years of experience. From small crews to multimillion-dollar contracts, the business side of this trade can be extremely profitable if you play your cards right.

🧢 Who This Trade Is Good For

✅ People who like working outdoors year-round
✅ Anyone with a background in farm or ranch work
✅ Veterans or career switchers looking for a hands-on, low-barrier-to-entry trade
✅ Workers who eventually want to lead crews or run their own business

🌿 Final Word from The Blue Collar Boyfriend

If you’re the kind of person who gets satisfaction from a job well done and enjoys seeing something grow over time—this might just be your lane.

Commercial landscaping is hard, honest work—and for the right person, it can lead to a damn good living.