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Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 9,215 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Least exposedband 1 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 4% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Advise customers on plant selection or care.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Gather and remove litter.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Tree Trimmers and Pruners

    Very similar work
    +39% pay699 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 39% more—$63,981 vs your $45,974 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Static Strength
    • Trunk Strength
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Reaction Time
    • Instructing
    • Extent Flexibility
  • Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay32,255 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$42,694 vs your $45,974 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Trunk Strength
    • Static Strength
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Highway Maintenance Workers

    Very similar work
    +23% pay1,525 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 23% more—$56,706 vs your $45,974 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Static Strength
    • Control Precision
    • Trunk Strength
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Public Safety and Security
    • Building and Construction
    • Transportation
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Psychology
  • Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

    Similar work
    +43% pay608 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 43% more—$65,776 vs your $45,974 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Static Strength
    • Trunk Strength
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Mathematics
  • Construction Laborers

    Similar work
    +25% pay6,031 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 25% more—$57,446 vs your $45,974 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Static Strength
    • Trunk Strength
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Public Safety and Security
  • Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

    Similar work
    +40% pay381 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 40% more—$64,460 vs your $45,974 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Control Precision
    • Static Strength
    • Trunk Strength
    • Extent Flexibility

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Physics
    • Reaction Time
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Rate Control
  • Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

    Similar work
    +16% pay351 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 16% more—$53,409 vs your $45,974 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Trunk Strength
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Static Strength
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Extent Flexibility

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Mechanical
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Mathematics
  • Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

    Somewhat similar work
    +81% pay1,580 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 81% more—$83,178 vs your $45,974 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Static Strength
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Depth Perception
    • Operation and Control
    • Mechanical
    • Reaction Time
    • Equipment Maintenance
  • Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

    Somewhat similar work
    +23% pay208 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 23% more—$56,717 vs your $45,974 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Trunk Strength
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Extent Flexibility

    New skills to build

    • Transportation
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Mechanical
    • Hearing Sensitivity
    • Flexibility of Closure
  • Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

    Somewhat similar work
    +73% pay3,557 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 73% more—$79,594 vs your $45,974 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Manual Dexterity
    • Trunk Strength
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Control Precision
    • Customer and Personal Service

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Mechanical
    • Design
    • Installation
    • Engineering and Technology