A method for hierarchical work scheduling includes consuming a work item at a first scheduling domain having a local scheduler circuit and one or more workgroup processing elements. Consuming the work item produces a set of new work items. Subsequently, the local scheduler circuit distributes at least one new work item of the set of new work items to be executed locally at the first scheduling domain. If the local scheduler circuit of the first scheduling domain determines that the set of new work items includes one or more work items that would overload the first scheduling domain with work if scheduled for local execution, those work items are distributed to the next higher-level scheduler circuit in a scheduling domain hierarchy for redistribution to one or more other scheduling domains.