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Landscaper

Alternative titles for this job include Landscape gardener, landscape designer

Landscapers create and maintain gardens, parks and other outdoor areas.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£26,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 42 a week

You could work

weekends flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • a specialist training course

College

You could take a college course to get some of the skills you might need as a landscaper. For example:

  • practical horticulture
  • landscape construction
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Landscape or Horticulture Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an assistant landscaper with a company and work your way up through training and promotion.

It might be helpful to have some related work experience when you apply for jobs.

Direct Application

There are no set requirements to be a landscaper. Most employers will expect you to have some knowledge and experience in gardening or horticulture.

Other Routes

You could take a course with The Royal Horticultural Society to learn more about the industry or do a qualification that may help you to get a job.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can apply to become a member of the British Association of Landscape Industries for professional development.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a landscaper from:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • customer service skills
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • physical fitness and endurance
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a landscaper, you could:

  • prepare sites for landscaping, using tools and machinery
  • work from a plan made by a garden designer or landscape architect
  • plant flowers, shrubs and trees, order supplies and sow lawns
  • build paths, walls, water features and rock gardens
  • advise clients on how to look after their green spaces

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a landscaper to be a green job, you could:

  • work with peat-free compost which is more environmentally friendly
  • use electric rather than petrol power tools
  • recycle rainwater to use when watering plants

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work in a garden, at a client's business, at a client's home or at a garden centre.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

  • do a Horticulture and Landscaping Technical Manager Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship to progress into a management role
  • become a landscape supervisor or landscape manager
  • set up your own landscaping business
  • specialise in landscape design
  • train future landscapers at a land-based college or training provider

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Horticulture/Landscape Construction Operative

  • Wage: £14,722.50 a year Annually
  • Location: Kernick Road, Penryn, Cornwall

Landscape Apprentice

  • Wage: £14,722.50 to £23,809.50 a year Annually
  • Location: STAINES UPON THAMES
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Landscape Construction and Horticulture Level 3

  • Provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING
  • Start date: 11 September 2025
  • Location: Guildford

Advanced Certificate in Landscape Construction (Level 3) (Adults)

  • Provider: CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE
  • Start date: 09 September 2025
  • Location: Enfield
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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