National Occupational Classification, TEER 5
NOC 85121: Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers perform work to assist in the construction of landscapes and related structures, and to maintain lawns, gardens, athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, parks, landscaped interiors and other landscaped areas. Below are the main duties, all 40 job titles it covers, what it means for Express Entry and what it pays in each province.
Updated
- Official NOC 2021 data
- Job Bank wages
What is NOC 85121?
NOC 85121 is the code for landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include bulb planter - landscaping, cemetery labourer, gardening helper and golf course worker. It is a TEER 5 occupation (usually a short work demonstration and no formal education), so it does not count as skilled work for Express Entry. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $20.75 an hour.
- NOC code
- 85121
- TEER
- 5: Short work demonstration, no formal education
- Broad category
- Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations
- Express Entry
- Not skilled
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $20.75 an hour
Job titles under NOC 85121
Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers perform work to assist in the construction of landscapes and related structures, and to maintain lawns, gardens, athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, parks, landscaped interiors and other landscaped areas. They are employed by landscaping and lawn care companies, golf courses, cemeteries, and landscaping operations of public works departments and private establishments.
Main job titles
- bulb planter - landscaping
- cemetery labourer
- gardening helper
- golf course worker
- grass cutter
- grounds maintenance worker
- landscape labourer
- park maintenance labourer
- park maintenance worker
- sod layer
- transplanter - landscape maintenance
All 40 job titles in the NOC index
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, 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.
Main duties of NOC 85121
This group performs 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.
Additional information
- Progression to technical or supervisory occupations in landscaping and horticulture is possible with additional training or experience.
Is NOC 85121 eligible for Express Entry?
Not for the main Express Entry programs, which need TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 work. TEER 5 jobs can still lead to permanent residence through some provincial and other programs, so check each program's own list.
| Program or draw | NOC 85121 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Does not count (TEER 5) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Does not count (TEER 5) |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | Not a listed trade |
| Occupation category draws (2026) | Not on any occupation list |
| French-language proficiency (category draw) | Open to any occupation with NCLC 7 in French |
Read how TEER categories work and the full list of NOC codes in each 2026 category draw. Category draws also need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one listed occupation within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 85121 pay?
Job Bank wages for this occupation, per hour. Low and high are, in most cases, the 10th and 90th percentiles, so 8 in 10 workers earn somewhere between them.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $17.00 | $20.75 | $28.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $18.00 | $25.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $16.50 | $19.00 | $23.36 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $18.83 | $24.00 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $18.50 | $23.00 |
| Quebec | $17.36 | $21.89 | $28.50 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $20.96 | $27.41 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $18.39 | $24.20 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.50 | $20.00 | $27.00 |
| Alberta | $17.00 | $21.00 | $29.47 |
| British Columbia | $18.00 | $22.50 | $30.85 |
| Yukon | $25.00 | $30.31 | $33.26 |
| Northwest Territories | $18.00 | $25.00 | $33.94 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2023-2024 (Employment Insurance Survey Data). Wages for job offers in LMIA and provincial programs are compared with these figures, so check the current numbers on Job Bank before you rely on them.
Using NOC 85121 duties on your resume
Canadian resumes do not list NOC codes. Employers read your job titles, what you did and what came of it. The NOC duties are still a useful checklist: if you did these tasks, say so in your own words and add the numbers that prove it.
For Express Entry, the reference letter from your employer should describe the duties you really performed, in line with this lead statement and most of the main duties, without copying the NOC text word for word. The free reference letter generator checks your duties against NOC 85121 as you write.
- Start each bullet with a strong verb and end it with a result: how many, how often, how fast.
- Use the job title your employer used, even if the NOC title is different.
- Keep immigration details such as your NOC code and permit type off the resume.
Turn my duties into a resume Free to start, no card.
Where this information comes from
Occupation codes, titles and descriptions are adapted from Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
Wages come from Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Express Entry rules come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): the program pages for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the category-based selection page as modified on June 22, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for a bulb planter - landscaping?
NOC 85121, Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers, a TEER 5 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 85121?
TEER 5. Usually a short work demonstration and no formal education. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 85121 eligible for Express Entry?
Not for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Trades Program, which need TEER 0 to 3 work. Some provincial nominee programs and other pathways accept TEER 5 jobs.
Is NOC 85121 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
No. It is not on any 2026 occupation list. The French-language proficiency category is open to any occupation if you reach NCLC 7 in French. See every category.
How much does NOC 85121 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $20.75 an hour, with most wages between $17.00 and $28.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 85121 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
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More on NOC codes and Canadian resumes
- NOC Code Finder: Describe your duties and get your NOC 2021 code, TEER and Express Entry eligibility. Free.
- NOC Codes Canada: Full List: All 516 NOC 2021 codes with their TEER, duties and wages.
- TEER Categories Explained: What TEER 0 to 5 means, which count for Express Entry, and every job in each one.
- Express Entry Category Draws: NOC Codes: Every NOC code on the 2026 healthcare, STEM, trades, education and other lists.
- Canadian Resume Examples by Job: Real examples for cashiers, caregivers, trades, tech, students and more.
- Newcomer Resume Guide: Turn international experience into a resume Canadian employers understand.