We answer your top questions about landscaping jobs: How much do they make? What do they do? Is it the right job for you?
If you’ve dabbled with gardening and are curious if you have what it takes to make it your full-time job, read on. We have the answers you need to know.
How much do landscapers make?
Over the years, landscaping has gotten a bad rap as a minimum wage job, which isn’t true. The average hourly wage in Canada is about $17 to $19 an hour, depending on your data source. For reference, Lawn Troopers offers more competitive wages than the industry average, starting at $18 and going up to $22 an hour for general labour.
Demand for landscaping services has climbed and recruits can work over 40 hours a week if they choose to take on more hours during prime months, typically from May to September. It’s important to note that landscaping is seasonal work. About 75% of the 30,000 people in this industry are off during the winter months.
What does a landscaper do?
Every day is different because each customer has a unique yard or garden and a different maintenance schedule. The variety helps keep things fresh, and typical job duties include:
- Gardening – spreading topsoil; laying sod; planting flowers, shrubs and trees; and weeding.
- Landscaping and lawn care – cutting grass; raking, aerating, dethatching, fertilizing and watering lawns; pruning shrubs and trees.
- Operating landscaping maintenance equipment – like power mowers, tractors, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, pruning saws, and snowblowers.
- Disease and insect control – spraying and dusting trees, shrubs, lawns and gardens.
Is landscaping a skilled trade?
There are some landscaping roles that are considered a skilled trade, but this type of position, officially classified by the government and industry groups as “crew member or labourer” is not. In fact, we don’t require any previous experience! We hire with a focus on attitude and aptitude and provide all the training needed to succeed.
For those interested in career growth within the industry, horticultural technicians and heavy equipment operators are both Red Seal (aka certified skilled) trades in Canada. You can learn more about other certification programs here. Working as a landscaper with Lawn Troopers is a great first career step and will help you build the skills and knowledge base you’ll need for the future.
Is landscaping a hard job?
We’re not going to sugarcoat this one. There’s a reason landscaper job listing usually requires their crew to be “physically fit and able to work long days in adverse conditions”. We work outside rain or shine in the summer months when temperatures can sit well above 30 C for days at a stretch.
For those transitioning from a desk job to landscaping, it can be a demanding change. But our team members love being outside, working with their hands and caring for nature. Landscaping often attracts people who are outdoor enthusiasts or regular gym-goers. Ask around about our team members’ favourite activities and you’ll get answers ranging from hiking to strength training to sports.
If you’re used to high temps, keep in mind there’s more to it than dealing with the heat. You also have to be comfortable using power tools – which for some people, is the best part of the job. Recruits should be able to repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds. And drop and give us 20.
Interested? Great, we’re hiring!
Landscaping with Lawn Troopers is a rewarding job – you build strength, work with a great team and constantly learn new things. (Not to mention, the pay is good too.) If this sounds like a great fit, we’d love to hear from you. Apply with Lawn Troopers today!
