Educational Requirements for Landscapers

Landscapers are responsible for designing and maintaining lawns, grounds and gardens. Landscapers perform tasks such as mowing lawns, trimming trees, applying pesticides and irrigating and installing plants and flowers. Landscapers create functional and pleasant outdoor environments and also care for indoor gardens in public and commercial locations. Landscapers work with rakes, shovels, handsaws, trimmers, axes, lawn mowers and clippers to keep plants trimmed and grass cut.

Education

There is no formal education required to become a landscaper, but taking college courses in landscape design, horticulture and landscape architecture can be beneficial to prospective landscapers. Another way for prospective landscapers to achieve education is through an apprenticeship program, which includes on-the-job training and classroom work.

Certification

The Professional Ground Management Society offers certification to landscapers with a bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of work experience. Applicants must pass an exam, which covers topics on personnel management, equipment, environmental issues and turf care.

Skills

Landscapers will become educated through school or apprentice programs on how to operate and repair landscaping equipment, understand irrigation and water management and apply pesticides. Landscapers also need to know how to maintain grounds and install plants and flowers. A career in landscaping requires that professionals be able to climb ladders in order to trim trees.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, the average salary for a starting landscaper is $21,000 per year, and after five years the average yearly salary increases to over $30,000 per year. The average salary for a landscaper depends on experience, location, skills and degree.

Outlook

Employment opportunities for landscapers are expected increase 18 percent through the years 2016, because of the rising demand from landscaping and lawn care companies. Careers are available through private companies, universities, corporate headquarters and state and local governments.