Career comparison
Landscaper vs. Landscaping Supervisor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Landscaping supervisors earn more at the median ($58,430 vs. $39,150), while landscapers usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Landscapers plant, mow, trim and care for lawns, gardens and outdoor spaces. Landscaping supervisors lead landscaping and grounds crews to deliver great outdoor spaces.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Landscaper | Landscaping Supervisor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $39,150 ($18.82/hr) | $58,430 ($28.09/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $31,150 – $56,730 | $40,560 – $85,650 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.7% (about as fast as average) | +4.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 149,500 | 23,900 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–4 weeks | Under 5 years of experience |
| Key credential | NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician | NALP Landscape Industry Certified Manager |
| Work setting | Landscapers work outdoors in heat, cold and rain, using power equipment and lifting heavy materials.. | Supervisors work outdoors at job sites and in trucks, with some office time for scheduling and estimates.. |
What each job does
Landscaper
- Mow, edge and trim lawns
- Plant trees, shrubs and flowers
- Spread mulch and install sod
- Prune shrubs and small trees
- Install and repair irrigation
Landscaping Supervisor
- Schedule and assign crew work
- Train and supervise workers
- Inspect work quality
- Order materials and plants
- Maintain equipment and vehicles
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, hands-on work, and teamwork. Both are part of the agriculture, landscaping & animal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose landscaper if…
- I love being outdoors
- I don’t mind hard work
- I want to start right away
Choose landscaping supervisor if…
- I like leading crews
- I enjoy outdoor work
- I’m organized
Still torn? Take the Landscaper fit quiz and the Landscaping Supervisor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, landscaper or landscaping supervisor?
Landscaping Supervisors earn more at the median: $58,430 versus $39,150 for landscapers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Landscapers typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than landscaping supervisors (Under 5 years of experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects landscapers to grow +4.7% from 2025–35, compared with +4.0% for landscaping supervisors.