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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)

£16,000 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

weekends flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a landscaper

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. 

You could do a:

  • Level 1 Diploma in Skills for Working in Horticulture Industries
  • Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
  • Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 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 do an apprenticeship to start or progress as a landscaper. 

You could do a:

  • horticulture and landscape operative intermediate apprenticeship
  • landscape supervisor advanced apprenticeship if you have already have some experience 
  • horticulture and landscaping technical manager higher apprenticeship to progress to become a landscaping project manger or site manager

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
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an assistant landscaper and work your way up.

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. However, most employers will expect you to have some knowledge and experience in horticulture. 

Other Routes

You could take a course with the Royal Horticultural Society to learn more about gardening or get a qualification that will help you get a job.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can apply to become a member of the British Association of Landscape Industries for advice about jobs.

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
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • physical skills like lifting, bending and carrying
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • physical fitness and endurance
  • 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

In this role you could:

  • talk to clients about what they need
  • work from a plan made by a garden designer or landscape architect
  • plant shrubs and trees, order supplies and sow lawns
  • install paths, water features and rock gardens
  • advise clients on how to look after the space 

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:

  • move up to become a landscape supervisor or landscape manager
  • become self-employed
  • move into teaching

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £12,480.00 Annually
  • Location: 38 MOSS LANE, STYAL, WILMSLOW

Gardening Apprentice

  • Wage: £12,090.00 Annually
  • Location: Offord D'arcy
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Horticulture

  • Provider: NORTHERN COLLEGE FOR RESIDENTIAL ADULT EDUCATION LIMITED(THE)
  • Start date: 13 March 2023
  • Location: BARNSLEY

Horticulture Technical

  • Provider: SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE
  • Start date: 12 September 2023
  • Location: Ipswich
Find courses near you

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