What Type of Landscape Professional Should You Be?

CONSIDER A CAREER AS AN ARBORIST! An arborist cares for trees and other woody plants. Arborists are generally called upon for advice on selecting and planting trees and to evaluate the condition of trees, make recommendations for their care, and provide services needed such as pruning, fertilization and insect and disease control. Above all, an arborist is a highly qualified professional who recognizes his or her responsibility to maintain the considerable value trees can add to life and property. An arborist is also called upon when it is necessary to remove damaged or diseased trees. This career requires physical fitness and comfort with heights. It is an excellent career opportunity for those who love to work independently outdoors, like to use their mind to prevent and solve problems and are comfortable with physical exertion in varying weather conditions. Education: A college degree is often required in disciplines like arboriculture, urban forestry or horticulture. Certification is often recommended. Median Salary Range: $36,000-$81,000 (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 and NALP Foundation, Landscape Industry Careers Survey, 2015) Supervisors, managers, and those with demonstrated experience can expect to earn more. Related Careers: tree trimmers, tree pruners

Consider a career as a LANDSCAPE or LAWN CARE TECHNICIAN! A lush, healthy landscape adds beauty to a community, value to a home or business, and benefits to the environment; but healthy landscapes don’t just happen. They require knowledge, care and attention. They are best brought to life and nurtured by lawn and landscape professionals. These knowledgeable stewards of the environment mow, plant, edge, trim, water, fertilize, aerate, weed and more to help lawns, flowers, shrubs and trees flourish in residential and business settings and municipalities. This is an excellent career for those who enjoy working independently outdoors in varying weather conditions, like establishing the pace of their work, seeing the results of their efforts and embrace the opportunity to interface with customers. Education: A college degree is generally not required for entry-level positions but will sometimes be required for supervisory positions and is a requirement for careers that focus in agronomy. Median Salary Range: $25,000-$81,000 (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 and NALP Foundation, Landscape Industry Careers Survey, 2015)
Supervisors, managers, and those with demonstrated experience can expect to earn more. Related Careers: sports field managers, irrigation specialists, agronomists, production managers, quality control specialists, project estimators

Consider a Career as a LANDSCAPE DESIGNER or LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT! With increasing regularity, people are choosing to enjoy outdoor spaces where they live, work and play. Landscape architects and designers help bring these outdoor spaces to life for families, businesses and municipalities. They are creative visionaries who have the right expertise – and eye – to know where to place flowers, shrubs, trees, pools, patios, sidewalks and more to create the best form and function for an outdoor space. Some designers and architects work within a professional landscape firm or at a garden center while others work for themselves or for a municipality. If you are creative and have an eye for detail, are committed to sustainability practices and the environment, enjoy working with people and love plants, this might be an ideal career option to consider. Education: A career as a landscape architect requires a degree in landscape architecture and most states require licensing. These credentials are not necessary for landscape designers. Median Salary: $64,000-$81,000
(Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 and NALP Foundation, Landscape Industry Careers Survey, 2015)
Supervisors, managers, and those with demonstrated experience can expect to earn more. Related Careers: sales professionals, business owners, design/build professionals

Consider a career as a NURSERY OR GREENHOUSE PROFESSIONAL! These professionals grow flowers, shrubs and trees for use by landscape companies, garden centers, home owners and others. In addition to planting, they prune, fertilize and control the weeds that may be detrimental to the health of the plants they are cultivating. If you are interested in the biology and beauty of plants and if you want to make the world a more attractive place, one flower or shrub at a time, working at a nursery or in a greenhouse might be for you. Education: For most jobs in a greenhouse or nursery, a college degree is not required but those who work with the creation of new plant species or advanced plant care will find a college degree in botany, biology, or a similar discipline helpful. Median Salary Range: $25,000-$81,000 (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 and NALP Foundation, Landscape Industry Careers Survey, 2015) Supervisors, managers, and those with demonstrated experience can expect to earn more. Related Careers: botanists, biologists, plant breeders, sales professionals

Consider a career as a LANDSCAPE SUPERVISOR! These managers are well-versed in many of the most important aspects of company’s success. They are the company’s eyes and ears on project sites, ensuring work is done according to plan, managing and motivating team members and working with office staff and vendors to coordinate successful project installations and site management. Professionals in these positions have normally advanced after mastering various field tasks including safety compliance, equipment operation, project installation, landscape management, etc. They regularly draw upon strengths in problem-solving, detail management, and working with people. Education: Many companies do not require a college degree for these positions; however, industry experience is usually required. Median Salary Range: $45,000-$81,000. (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 and NALP Foundation, Landscape Industry Careers Survey, 2015) Related Careers: Maintenance and construction foreman, crew foreman, project manager, account manager, lawn or landscape technician

Consider a Career as a SALES PROFESSIONAL! No company can succeed without the skills of those who generate business. If you are highly motivated for business growth, are passionate about the environment – and you welcome the chance to work with people, consider a career in sales/business development. Sales-oriented professionals must have outstanding interpersonal skills, dynamic presentation abilities, and a strong sense of initiative. Education: A college degree is required for many sales positions but not all. Median Salary Range: $53-$114,000. (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 and NALP Foundation, Landscape Industry Careers Survey, 2015) Related Careers: account managers, project estimators, owners, landscape supervisors

Consider a career as an ACCOUNT MANAGER! – Just as every ship needs a captain to ensure successful navigation and every orchestra needs a conductor to organize a talented team for a quality performance, every landscape project needs an account manager to make things happen according to plan! Account managers create a work plan and ensure it is followed to meet and exceed a customer’s expectations. Account managers use their incredible organizational skills to coordinate scheduling, budgeting and staffing and as they frequently serve as a primary interface with clients and colleagues, they must excel in working with people. Education: A college degree is very helpful, though sometimes not required. Industry experience is preferred. Median Salary Range: $45,000-$90,000 (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 and NALP Foundation, Landscape Industry Careers Survey, 2015) Related Careers – landscape estimators, landscape purchasers, landscape superintendents

Consider a career in SENIOR MANAGEMENT or as a BUSINESS OWNER! You seem to have the aptitude for business, love for the environment and people skills to pursue a management position as a landscape professional. Landscape executives are often community leaders who want to make a difference in communities - and in the lives of their employees. They enjoy mentoring and motivating those around them. Many executives are career-changers, those who transfer their skills from other professions that have given them strong management skills. Education: A college degree is generally required. Media Compensation Range: $60,000-$186,000 (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 and NALP Foundation, Landscape Industry Careers Survey, 2015) Related Careers: branch manager, supervisor, sales professional, regional executive