How much does a groundskeeper make?
Answer: A typical groundskeeper in the United States makes $46,860 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 14,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Groundskeeper pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $31,650 | $46,860 | $74,820 | about 14,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $48,890 | about 660 |
| California | $48,870 | about 4,000 |
| Colorado | $48,280 | about 850 |
| Tennessee | $39,980 | about 640 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, earnings differ with experience, skills, pesticide licenses, employer (such as a school, public agency, or grounds company), and location. Seasonal hours and specialized or more responsible tasks, like caring for sports turf, can also matter.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a groundskeeper do?
All grounds maintenance workers not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
They care for plants and trees, rake leaves, clear paths, and look after benches and equipment. On a sports field, they mow and water the turf, mark lines, and may paint a team logo before a game.
How to get this job
In the United States, entry-level groundskeepers usually need no formal schooling, though employers may prefer a high-school diploma; most learn on the job. If you apply pesticides, many states require a license and test, so check the rules where you plan to work.
Did you know?
At some U.S. sports fields, groundskeepers paint team logos and names right onto the turf before an event.
Earn more in the same field
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/building-and-grounds-cleaning/grounds-maintenance-workers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/37-3019.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY