Does financial security and wellness truly define the passion and commitment of greenkeepers in their profession, or the workplaces they choose to cultivate?
I assert that financial resources and wellness do not resolve every issue.
While the rise in inflation and the associated decline in living standards present significant challenges, the role of wages is an essential consideration in this context.
Despite all of this, I want you to recognize and appreciate the factors that will enhance a greenkeeper’s or any golf club employee’s engagement and enrich their overall employee experience in 2025:
- Employees desire to understand the significance of their contributions within the organization and seek a degree of alignment between their personal values and the golf club’s mission.
- The significance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) priorities is steadily increasing, particularly among younger employees.
- A culture that prioritizes psychological safety and actively values diverse perspectives is essential.
- Dissatisfaction with obsolete systems and ineffective tools directly affects productivity and employee morale.
- Employees seek advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence assistants and collaborative tools, that enhances rather than impedes their work.
- Employees desire to influence their work environment through feedback loops (e.g. Beekeeper mobile application), participatory decision-making, and opportunities for innovation.
Which employee experience improvement solution brings you the greatest pride?
GCSAA survey findings: greenkeeper salaries
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has reported a significant increase in the average salary for greenkeepers, which now stands at $121,238 annually.
This data is derived from the most recent biennial Compensation and Benefits Report published by the GCSAA.
The findings indicate a 10.6% increase from the average salary of $109,621 reported in 2023, reflecting a consistent upward trend observed in each biennial report since the GCSAA began tracking these figures in 1993.
Over the past three decades, greenkeeper salaries have nearly tripled, with the initial report indicating an average salary of $44,500.
Certified golf course superintendents, who have attained the highest level of professional recognition through education, experience, and service, experienced a salary increase of 7.4% compared to 2023, bringing their average salary to $138,303.
Additionally, assistant superintendents and golf course equipment managers also witnessed substantial increases in their earnings.
Assistant superintendents saw a salary increase of 10.5%, resulting in an average salary of $62,184, while equipment managers experienced a 12.5% increase, with their average salary reaching $68,154.
The growth in salaries within golf course management professions continues to surpass the national average, which, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, observed an increase of 8.1% over the past two years (with a 4.3% rise in 2023 and a 3.8% rise in 2024).
Here is the full report for free: https://www.gcsaa.org/career/compensation-report