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Athletic Field Manager, Golf Course Superintendent, Greenskeeper, Parks and Recreation Manager, Sports Field Manager, Staff Technician
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
In general, turfgrass management specialists plan, organize, and direct the establishment and management of new and retrofit (existing) turfgrass areas. For a golf course or sports field, the main goal is to create a uniform playing surface, keeping players’ safety in mind.
Turfgrass management specialists may work alone, or they may supervise crews that mow, aerate, rake, edge, top-dress, fertilize, and irrigate turf.
Turfgrass management specialists also may:
While some positions are seasonal, turfgrass management specialists may work indoors and outdoors year-round. They often put in long and irregular hours when the weather warms up.
The work can be strenuous. Lifting heavy items is routine. Safety precautions are a standard part of the job to reduce the health risks associated with handling fertilizers and pesticides.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in operating equipment to apply fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides; and in overseeing the maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment
Interest in co-ordinating information from club authorities to plan and review work projects and priorities; and in arranging for soil tests and purchases of equipment and supplies
Interest in supervising work crews who mix and prepare spray and dust mixtures, and spray and dust golf courses and surrounding landscapes
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Turfgrass management specialists need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 185 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 26, 2023 and Nov 20, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Work Setting: Various locations | 123 |
|---|---|
| Attention to detail | 123 |
| Tasks: Plant and move trees | 110 |
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 106 |
| Tasks: Apply various treatments such as pruning, spraying, repairing damaged areas and injecting with treatment solutions | 106 |
| Tasks: Plant and maintain private and public lawns and gardens | 106 |
| Tasks: Water and tend to plants, lawns and/or gardens | 100 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 99 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 98 |
| Tasks: Examine trees and shrubs to diagnose problems and disease | 97 |
Turfgrass management specialists need skills and knowledge related to:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Pesticide applicators use pesticides (chemicals) as part of their paid employment to control pests such as weeds, diseases, or destructive insects or animals.
Pesticide dispensers sell and store pesticides as part of their paid employment.
Under Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act [pdf] and Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation [pdf], to apply a commercial-class pesticide such as insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide, you must be one of the following:
To sell pesticides, you must be a certified dispenser. There are 2 types of dispensers in Alberta:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Pesticide Applicator and Dispenser.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Turfgrass management specialists are employed by private organizations, not-for-profit societies, and departments in all levels of government that manage recreational facilities such as parks, golf courses, and athletic fields.
They may also work with:
In the past, many turfgrass management specialists worked their way up from labour to supervisory positions. Today, graduates of related post-secondary education programs have a better chance of advancement than those without related academic training.
Professionals with bachelor’s degrees in turfgrass science often move into careers in:
Those with a master’s or PhDs can move into higher positions, including academia or research at chemical companies. Large companies also may have opportunities for breeding new turfgrass species.
Supervisory roles such as golf course superintendent and operations manager require a few years’ experience. Experienced turfgrass specialists may also start their own consulting or landscape contracting firms. They may have to move to successively larger communities in order to advance.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
2016 NOC: 2225
79.7% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Earnings for turfgrass management specialists vary widely. Factors include:
Diploma graduates may average $30,000–$32,000 per year. Superintendents may earn up to $84,000 per year.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $37.90 | $21.39 | $18.00 |
| Overall | $18.00 | $42.28 | $23.62 | $20.00 |
| Top | $20.00 | $43.71 | $26.82 | $24.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $38,302 |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $66,899 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $28,951 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $64,914 |
| Public Administration | $84,226 |
Alberta Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas website: www.alberta.ca/environment-and-protected-areas.aspx
Alberta Golf Superintendents Association (AGSA) website: albertagsa.com
Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) website: golfsupers.com
Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association website: www.landscape-alberta.com
National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) website: www.landscapeprofessionals.org
Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA) website: www.wctaturf.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 27, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
