Golf Course Superintendent

Keeps a golf course in perfect shape by managing turf science, water, and a grounds crew.

A day in the life

Your day starts at 5 a.m. checking soil moisture on the greens before golfers arrive. You set the mowing plan for your crew, scout for fungus, and adjust irrigation before a heat wave.

Pay over a career

Starting
$55k
Typical
$85k
High
$140k

Private clubs and tournament courses pay the most.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. 2- or 4-year degree in turfgrass science; GCSAA certification for top jobs.

Ways in: 4-year college, 2-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Turfgrass Science, Agronomy, Horticulture.

Outlook

Growing about average. Steady replacement demand.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. Soil sensors, robotic mowers and smart irrigation help; diagnosing turf, running a crew and weather calls stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture CTE.

Official data: O*NET occupation 37-1012.

More Landscape Architecture & Outdoor Design careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.