Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
Machines can already do 22% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 22% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 952,640 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $39,150 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 32% for contact with people.
- Also called: Athletic Fieldskeeper, Greenskeeper, Grounds Maintenance Worker, Grounds Specialist.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers | 24% | 30% to 75% | |
| Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws | 11% | 30% to 75% | |
| Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs, and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Gather and remove litter | 4% | 3% to 30% | |
| Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans | 4% | 30% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills landscaping and groundskeeping workers use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much landscaping and groundskeeping workers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, low confidence.
- Go-to problem solver2/10
- Trust and reliability4/10
- Know-how about the organisation3/10
- Network and relationships2/10
- Mentoring and developing others1/10
- Culture and morale2/10
- Initiative beyond the role2/10
- Calm in a crisis3/10
- Bridge between teams1/10
- Reputation and influence1/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Cytotechnologists58% of tasks by 2035
- Manicurists and Pedicurists41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,760
- Cytogenetic Technologists51% of tasks by 2035
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $32,910
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of landscaping and groundskeeping workers?
Machines can do 22% of the tasks of landscaping and groundskeeping workers today and 63% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 37-3011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, low confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/landscaping-and-groundskeeping-workers/