Gardener | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Gardeners grow and look after plants in private and public green spaces.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Gather and remove litter.
Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain-saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or

Gather and remove litter.
Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain-saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.
Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.
Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.
Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.
Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.
Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.
Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.
Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.
Decorate gardens with stones or plants.
Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.
Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.
Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots and spread salt in those areas.
Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.
Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.
Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.
Care for artificial turf fields, periodically removing the turf and replacing cushioning pads or vacuuming and disinfecting the turf after use to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment.
Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses used on the fields.
Advise customers on plant selection or care.
Haul or spread topsoil or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.

Average salary
22,422 GBP *
per year

Average salary for Gardener

22,510 GBP
21,607 GBP

Average salary for part-time Gardener

Average salary for full-time Gardener

Showing:

9,018 GBP
9,500 GBP

22,422 GBP
21,607 GBP
22,510 GBP

Salary over time for Gardener

Salary for this role has increased over time

19,650 GBP
19,782 GBP
20,829 GBP
20,847 GBP
21,670 GBP
23,502 GBP
22,422 GBP
22,422 GBP
24,988 GBP

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Future outlook for Gardeners

Very good outlook

35 000+ jobs available

Balanced outlook

3% yearly wage growth (on average)

Very good outlook

32% chance of automation in the future

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Gardener and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

39% of people in this role have do not have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications
31% of people in this role have a post-secondary qualification such as a Higher National Diploma
18% of people in this role have a Bachelor's degree

You could do a college course in gardening or horticulture to get some of the knowledge and practical skills needed for this career. Courses include:

Level 1 Certificate in Horticulture Skills
Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture and Amenity Horticulture
Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture

Courses would cover things like identification of plants, growing plants from seed and how to use gardening machinery safely.

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Gardener

Gardening

Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

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Gardener | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Salary statistics

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Future outlook for Gardeners

Gardener - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

Things to highlight for your Gardener interview

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