2152-NOC

Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists

(NOC 22114)
Annual Earnings
$47,969
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
1,480

Career Overview

Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists do a range of landscaping and plant-related jobs.

In general, they design, install and maintain landscapes. They assess project sites, advise clients and sketch and build models. They also construct and maintain landscaped environments like gardens, parks and golf courses. They breed and grow plants, as well as diagnose and treat plants affected by pests/disease.

Duties

Arborists and tree service technicians:

  • Examine trees and shrubs to diagnose problems/disease
  • Prune and spray trees and shrubs, repair damaged areas, as well as inject them with treatment solutions
  • Remove unhealthy branches or entire trees when necessary

Golf course superintendents:

  • Direct landscaping crews
  • Manage landscape renovations and installations
  • Apply fertilizers and pesticides

Horticulturists:

  • Plan plantings
  • Plant seeds
  • Water, prune and fertilize plants
  • Maintain landscapes

Landscape designers and landscape architectural technicians and technologists:

  • Survey and assess sites
  • Prepare drawings, sketches and reports
  • Assist landscape architects with other design duties

Landscape gardeners / landscapers:

  • Plant and maintain private and public lawns and gardens
  • Plan and build landscapes that may include trees, shrubs, lawns, fences, decks or patios

Lawn care specialists:

  • Assess the health of lawns
  • Apply fertilizers, pesticides and other lawn-care products

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$47,969

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$30.00/hr
Median$23.00/hr
Low$18.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

4,705

% Employed Full Time

49%
Source: 2021 Census

Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists can work for different employers. These include landscape designers, lawn and tree care companies, golf courses, nurseries, greenhouses, public gardens and municipal, provincial and national parks. Many are self-employed.

Most landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists work standard hours, or sunrise to sunset, with longer hours during peak seasons. In some regions of the province, workers may face periods of unemployment during the winter. Greenhouse workers and workers with experience have better prospects for year-round work.

Most tasks take place outside, where workers are exposed to the weather. Landscape designers and greenhouse and nursery workers also work indoors.

Much of the work is physical and dirty. It can involve dangerous equipment, such as chain saws and chippers, as well as toxic chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Workers bend, lift heavy objects, kneel for long periods and do repetitive tasks like weeding and digging. Arborists and tree service technicians work at heights, using ladders and boom trucks as well as climb trees. All landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists must take safety measures to avoid injury.

Career Pathways

Workers new to the field usually join an existing company in an entry-level position. With experience, they may become supervisors or start their own businesses. Some landscape and grounds maintenance labourers, for example, may become crew leads or golf course superintendents. Others may become self-employed landscape gardeners or landscapers.

With additional workshops and certifications, workers can advance further or specialize in a particular area.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Arborist
Golf course superintendent
Greenskeeper
Horticultural technician
Horticulture specialist
Horticulturist
Hydroponics technician
Landscape architectural technician
Landscape designer
Landscape gardener
Landscape technician
Landscaper
Lawn care specialist
Tree service technician

Education, Training and Skills

Most workers learn through on-the-job training. Some employers seek workers with a university degree or college diploma in agronomy, arboriculture, horticulture, landscaping, landscape design or landscape technology. Golf course superintendents, landscape gardeners and landscapers may need prior experience as landscape and grounds maintenance labourers.

To apply certain chemical pesticides, workers need a provincial pesticide applicator certificate. Other certifications are not usually required, but may be helpful. The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s Landscape Horticulture Certification Program offers national certification for landscape technicians, designers and managers. The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (PNW-ISA) offers certifications for arborists and other tree workers.

Apprenticeship programs

SkilledTradesBC offers apprenticeship programs for interested landscape horticulturists and arborist technicians. Those who wish to be certified must complete the apprenticeship program (four years for landscape horticulturists; one year for arborist technicians) or a combination of courses and work experience. Apprenticeship programs include work experience and in-class instruction. Some part-time and online programs are available. To apprentice, workers must be sponsored by an employer. A person who successfully completes an apprenticeship program and the final certification exam earns a Certificate of Qualification. Uncertified workers with significant work experience in the trade may apply to challenge the certification exam to earn the Certificate of Qualification.

To work in other provinces

Workers may need Red Seal certification to work in other provinces. This can be earned through work experience and successful completion of an exam. Uncertified workers with significant experience in the trade can apply to challenge the exam.

Workers coming to B.C. 

Those who are certified for an occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information, such as a letter of good standing, references or criminal record check.

Workers who trained outside of Canada

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact SkilledTradesBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Agriculture Related
  • Horticulture/Floral Related
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

60%
Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.

54%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

51%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

48%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

46%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

45%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

45%
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

42%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

42%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

42%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

4,705
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 65 1.4%
Kootenay 235 5.0%
Mainland/Southwest 2,325 49.4%
North Coast and Nechako 45 1.0%
Northeast 10 0.2%
Thompson-Okanagan 685 14.5%
Vancouver Island/Coast 1,335 28.3%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

1,480
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 20 0.1%
Kootenay 70 1.2%
Mainland/Southwest 640 0.7%
North Coast and Nechako 10 0.3%
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 210 1.0%
Vancouver Island/Coast 540 1.5%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Business, Building And Other Support Services730
Information, Culture And Recreation250
Public Administration180
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services130
Agriculture And Fishing50
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

In general, landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists are in high demand and enjoy a great deal of job satisfaction.

The need for workers continues to rise with increases in housing construction and renovation, parks and more public interest in gardening and golfing. Landscape design, greenskeeping services, and landscape and garden maintenance have seen the biggest boost.

Resources