Prevailing Wage for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
Prevailing wages for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers (SOC 37-3011) are set by the DOL using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. Whether your job title reads Gardener, Greenskeeper, or Grounds Maintenance Worker, DOL assigns four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts significantly by city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level workers with limited experience performing routine tasks such as mowing, raking, and basic planting under close supervision. No specialized training is expected, and the role involves little independent judgment or technical decision-making.
Level 2 applies to qualified workers with some hands-on experience handling a broader mix of tasks, including fertilizing, irrigation system maintenance, and equipment operation, with moderate supervision. This is the most common filing level for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers sponsored for visas.
Level 3 covers experienced workers who handle complex assignments, train junior staff, and operate with substantial independence. Employers typically require several years of demonstrated field experience and proficiency across multiple groundskeeping disciplines.
Level 4 applies to fully competent workers in senior or lead roles, directing crews, managing site planning, and exercising expert-level judgment. These positions may involve supervisory responsibility and are typically supported by extensive experience in the occupation.
Prevailing Wage for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
Confirm your worksite city before comparing wages
Groundskeeping wages vary more sharply by metro than most occupations. The L2 floor in San Francisco or Seattle can run more than double the floor in Puerto Rico metros. The LCA must list the actual worksite, so a posting based in a low-wage area cannot use a high-wage metro's floor.
Watch for title mismatches that miss this floor
Employers sometimes file LCAs under SOC codes for Grounds and Buildings Maintenance or related supervisory codes rather than SOC 37-3011. If your duties match the DOL description for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, verify the SOC code on the certified LCA before signing an offer.
Understand why seasonal bonuses rarely count toward the floor
Groundskeeping roles often include seasonal performance bonuses or equipment allowances. DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against the base wage rate on the LCA, not total compensation. Bonuses and allowances generally do not count toward meeting the required wage floor.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with sponsorship history
Groundskeeping sponsorships are concentrated among commercial property managers, golf course operators, and municipal contractors. Migrate Mate shows which employers have sponsored Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers before, so you can target companies with a proven filing track record rather than guessing.
Jobs for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 37-3011.00 alongside Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Gardener Prevailing Wage
Gardener Prevailing Wage
Gardener positions fall under SOC 37-3011.00 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Greenskeeper Prevailing Wage
Greenskeeper Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Greenskeeper for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 37-3011.00 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Grounds Maintenance Worker Prevailing Wage
Grounds Maintenance Worker Prevailing Wage
Grounds Maintenance Worker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 37-3011.00 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Grounds Person Prevailing Wage
Grounds Person Prevailing Wage
Grounds Person positions fall under SOC 37-3011.00 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Grounds Specialist Prevailing Wage
Grounds Specialist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Grounds Specialist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 37-3011.00 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Grounds Worker Prevailing Wage
Grounds Worker Prevailing Wage
Grounds Worker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 37-3011.00 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Groundskeeper Prevailing Wage
Groundskeeper Prevailing Wage
Groundskeeper positions fall under SOC 37-3011.00 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Landscape Specialist Prevailing Wage
Landscape Specialist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Landscape Specialist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 37-3011.00 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Landscape Technician Prevailing Wage
Landscape Technician Prevailing Wage
Landscape Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 37-3011.00 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Outside Maintenance Worker Prevailing Wage
Outside Maintenance Worker Prevailing Wage
Outside Maintenance Worker positions fall under SOC 37-3011.00 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected from employers across every metro area. For SOC 37-3011, the OFLC publishes four wage levels derived from the regional wage distribution. Employers must pay at least the level that matches the actual job duties and experience requirements listed on the Labor Condition Application.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
The four levels reflect experience and responsibility. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision, Level 2 is qualified with moderate supervision, Level 3 is experienced with substantial independence, and Level 4 is fully competent in a lead or senior role. To identify your level, compare the duties, supervision structure, and experience requirements in your offer letter against DOL's level definitions. The certified LCA will state the filed level.
Why does the prevailing wage for this role vary so much from city to city?
DOL uses regional OES surveys, so wages reflect what employers in each metro actually pay. Dense labor markets like San Francisco and Seattle have higher wage floors than rural or lower-cost metros. Critically, the LCA must list the actual worksite location, not the employer's headquarters. A Greenskeeper hired for a property in a lower-wage metro is benchmarked against that metro's floor, regardless of where the company is based.
What happens if an employer offers less than the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
DOL will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the worksite location and filed wage level. If OFLC rejects the LCA, the employer cannot proceed with the H-1B or PERM filing. If an underpayment is discovered after certification, the employer faces back-wage liability and potential OFLC debarment. USCIS also reviews wage compliance when adjudicating visa petitions.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location for this occupation?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which publishes DOL prevailing wages by SOC code and metro area. Search for SOC 37-3011 and select the worksite metro to see the four wage levels. Cross-reference with O*NET for the full occupation profile. Migrate Mate can also help you identify which employers have historically sponsored workers in this occupation, giving you a shortlist of companies already familiar with the LCA process.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers right now.
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