Survey results show growth

Irvine, CA

The Green Industry sweeps the nation as a top career field for people interested in making a good living at making the country more beautiful. According to a Gallup poll released in 1999, more than 21 million U.S. households spent a record $16.8 billion on professional landscape/lawn care/tree care services, which make up the Green Industry, in 1998 alone. This represents a $2.2 billion increase in total spending over the previous year and a 32 percent increase in the average amount spent by each household on these professional services.

Lawn and landscape maintenance is the number one Green Industry service hired, and workers are needed to fill the demand, reports the Professional Lawn Care Association of America. "Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are top qualities lawn and landscape companies are looking for in employees," said Tom Delaney, executive vice president of PLCAA. "Many high school and two-year vocational-technical school graduates as well as retirees are entering the field. Whether your interest lies in customer service, sales and marketing, management or outdoor work, the Green Industry has a job for you."

While salaries and incentive plans vary greatly, first-year compensation in larger cities should deliver $23 to 27,000 (or more with sales bonus plans), and typically includes paid vacations, life insurance and benefits, and 401(k) retirement/savings plans. Delaney described the typical lawn and landscape worker as someone who wants to enhance the environment, and enjoys working with nature and people.