Main duties
People in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties.
- Spread top soil, lay sod, plant flowers, grass, shrubs and trees and perform other duties to assist with the construction of a landscape and related structures
- Cut grass, rake, aerate, dethatch, fertilize and water lawns, weed gardens, prune shrubs and trees and perform other maintenance duties as directed by supervisor
- Maintain lawns and grass along roadsides
- Operate and maintain power mowers, tractors, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, pruning saws, snowblowers and other landscape maintenance equipment
- Spray and dust trees, shrubs, lawns and gardens, as directed, to control insects and disease
- Perform other manual duties to clean and maintain landscaped environments
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education may be required
- A provincial licence to apply chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides may be required
Job titles in NOC 85121
40 job titles are classified in this unit group.
- bulb planter - landscaping
- campground maintenance worker
- cemetery labourer
- cemetery worker
- chemical applicator - lawn care
- gardener helper
- gardening helper
- golf course labourer
- golf course worker
- grass cutter
- grave digger
- greens worker
- greenskeeper helper
- grounds maintainer
- grounds maintenance labourer
- grounds maintenance worker
- groundskeeper
- groundsman/woman
- groundsperson - campground
- landscape gardener helper
- landscape gardening helper
- landscape labourer
- landscape worker
- lawn care labourer
- lawn care worker
- lawn mower
- lawn-mowing worker
- park maintenance labourer
- park maintenance worker
- plant care worker
Show all 40 job titles
- plant doctor helper
- snow shoveller - grounds maintenance
- sod layer
- sod laying labourer
- stadium groundskeeper
- transplanter - landscape maintenance
- tree pruner - landscaping
- tree sprayer
- tree surgeon helper
- tree trimmer - landscaping
Wages for NOC 85121 by province
Hourly wages from Job Bank for landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.60 | $20.96 | $27.41 |
| British Columbia | $18.00 | $22.50 | $30.85 |
| Alberta | $17.00 | $21.00 | $29.47 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.50 | $20.00 | $27.00 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $18.39 | $24.20 |
| Quebec | $17.36 | $21.89 | $28.50 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $18.50 | $23.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $18.83 | $24.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $18.00 | $25.00 |
| Canada | $17.00 | $20.75 | $28.00 |
Ontario by region
| Region | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | $17.60 | $21.00 | $26.00 |
| Kingston–Pembroke | $17.60 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Muskoka–Kawarthas | $17.60 | $20.00 | $27.00 |
| Toronto | $17.60 | $22.00 | $29.93 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie | $17.60 | $21.00 | $27.00 |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula | $17.60 | $20.00 | $26.50 |
| London | $17.60 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Windsor–Sarnia | $17.60 | $19.55 | $25.00 |
| Stratford–Bruce Peninsula | $17.60 | $22.00 | $27.00 |
| Northeast | $17.60 | $20.00 | $25.97 |
| Northwest | $17.60 | $22.00 | $27.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025. Some Ontario figures are below the current general minimum wage of $17.95 per hour (since October 1, 2026); employers must pay at least the minimum wage.
Career progression and other notes
Progression to technical or supervisory occupations in landscaping and horticulture is possible with additional training or experience.
Similar occupations classified elsewhere
These occupations look related but belong to a different NOC unit group.
- Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists: NOC 22114, Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
- Nursery and greenhouse labourers: NOC 85103, Nursery and greenhouse labourers
- Other trades helpers and labourers: NOC 75119, Other trades helpers and labourers
- Public works and maintenance labourers: NOC 75212, Public works and maintenance labourers
- Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers: NOC 74205, Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers: NOC 73200, Residential and commercial installers and servicers
Hiring for this occupation in Ontario?
Ontario employers with 25 or more employees must include pay, vacancy status and any AI screening in public job postings. Our HR team can prepare the contract, onboarding and policies for the hire.
Questions about NOC 85121
What is NOC 85121?
NOC 85121 is Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers, a unit group in the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0). It belongs to the broad category natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations and to TEER 5.
What TEER is NOC 85121?
NOC 85121 is TEER 5. TEER 5 generally means: short work demonstration, no formal education required.
What job titles are in NOC 85121?
The unit group includes 40 job titles, for example bulb planter - landscaping, cemetery labourer, gardening helper, golf course worker, grass cutter, grounds maintenance worker.
How much do landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers earn in Canada?
Job Bank reports a national median of $20.75 per hour for landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers, and $20.96 in Ontario. The highest provincial median is in British Columbia at $22.50 (reference period 2023-2024).
Which occupations are similar to NOC 85121?
Related occupations classified in other unit groups include landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists (NOC 22114); nursery and greenhouse labourers (NOC 85103); other trades helpers and labourers (NOC 75119).
Last updated October 2026. Sources:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada
- Job Bank wages
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