How Much Do Landscapers Make? Hourly, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Salaries

When you’re expected to get your hands dirty and work under the hot sun, naturally you want to know what the pay is like.

How much you make as a landscaper depends on the region you’re working in, the type of work you’re doing (planting vs. hardscaping), and your experience.

On average, landscapers in the United States earn $29,990 to $53,900 a year. That range ramps up, though, once you specialize or build out your own business.

In this guide, you’ll get an idea of what landscapers make, which regions pay the most, and the numbers that business owners bring in.

Annual income

Across the United States, the typical annual income for landscapers runs anywhere from $29,990 to $53,900. That’s a wide range, and a lot of it comes down to where you’re working and what kind of work you’re doing.

Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for landscapers was $38,470 in 2024.

If you’re just starting out and tackling basic jobs like hauling mulch or planting shrubs on residential jobs, you’ll probably be in the $29K range. But once you get a couple of seasons under your belt or handle more technical work (like grading a slope properly for drainage), your pay can go up.

Monthly income

On a monthly basis, most full-time landscapers bring in anywhere from $2,499 to $4,491. Not bad for turning yards into personal paradises.

Paychecks can swing a bit depending on the season, though. And especially if you’re based somewhere with tough winters. In northern states, when the ground freezes and planting season is on pause, things slow down. Meanwhile, in warmer regions like Florida or the southwest, you might be booked all year.

If you’re smart, you’ll pad your slow months with add-ons, like fall cleanups, snow removal, or even simple design consultations. Some landscapers even branch into holiday lighting installs or prepping gardens for spring.

READ MORE: What do landscapers do in the winter?

Weekly income

Weekly income from landscaping isn’t set in stone. It all depends on your hourly rate and how many hours you’re putting in.

Let’s say you’re making $16.95 an hour, which puts you in the 25th percentile. You’re essentially paid more than 25% of others in the industry. A 40-hour workweek puts you at $678 per week before taxes.

Not every week looks the same, so how much you make will vary. During peak season, you could easily be doing 50-60 hours. And if you’re getting overtime pay (time-and-a-half after 40), those paychecks can climb to $847+ in a good week.

On the flip side, a string of rainy days can wash out your schedule. Or maybe you’re waiting on a stone delivery that gets delayed, pausing the landscaping project. You might just end up doing some cleanup gigs, leading to a lighter income that week.

Another thing to keep in mind—different services mean different pay. Installing a pond or hardscaping a patio usually pays better than mowing. If you’ve got some higher-ticket jobs lined up, you’re probably looking at a better weekly paycheck than usual.

Hourly income

Your hourly rate depends on

• What part of the country you’re in
• How long you’ve been in the field
• What kind of work you’re doing

Someone planting flowers won’t be paid the same as a foreman managing a hardscape install that takes two weeks.

But in general, here’s how hourly wages shake out in landscaping:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

How much you make an hour can also rise if you bring more to the table than just hustle. For example, do you have any experience running irrigation systems? Irrigation techs often earn more because the skill is both technical and essential for hot, dry climates where watering systems are a necessity.

And if you’re leading a crew, that role usually comes with a bigger paycheck. The same goes if you’re a certified landscape technician. Or certified in pesticide application or erosion control. Those credentials tell clients (and employers) that you know your stuff.

U.S. cities that pay the most

If you’re willing to relocate and follow the money, these are the highest-paying cities for landscapers:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

So, why do landscapers get better rates in places like San Francisco and Boston?

For starters, these cities are packed with upscale neighborhoods where appearances matter. You’re working with homeowners who want their yard to look like something out of The Edge Magazine, the official publication of the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

In places like Seattle and Mount Vernon, you’ve got lush landscapes that require serious maintenance, especially with all that rain. There’s work all year, and people will pay a professional who can manage it all without wrecking the soil.

Even smaller markets like Barnstable, MA and Fairbanks, AK make the list because demand is high, and the labor pool is tight. Cold climates have short working seasons, so an experienced landscaper can charge a premium while the weather’s good.

But before you pack your bags, keep in mind that high pay often comes with a higher cost of living. You might make $51,900 in San Francisco, but the cost of living is 70% higher than the national average. That salary might not stretch as far as you think when a burrito costs $15.

Average salary by state

Salaries vary by state, but some are more lucrative than others. First, here are the states that pay landscapers the most:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

And on the flip side, here are the states that pay landscapers the least:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

1. Location and demand

Location, which should be no surprise now, is one of the biggest factors in your pay.

In the highest-paying states (like Massachusetts and Washington), the demand is high, and the expectations are even higher. You’re more likely to find clients willing to pay for specialty plantings or complex installations like stonework and water features. 

Harsh winters in places like Massachusetts and Alaska also mean yards need help bouncing back in spring.

And in the lowest-paying states (like West Virginia and Mississippi), the pace might be slower, and jobs are more spread out with long drives between properties. Homeowners in rural communities often just handle their yards themselves. And when they do hire a pro, it’s usually for basic maintenance—not a backyard makeover.

The silver lining is that low pay doesn’t mean there isn’t opportunity. Materials in low-paying regions might be cheaper, and competition can be less fierce.

2. Specialization

Basic maintenance will always be in demand, but the real money is in niche skills. If you know how to do hardscape installations like patios or retaining walls, for example, you’re in a much better position to command a higher rate.

A homeowner might pay $40 for a mowed lawn, but they’ll shell out thousands for a properly graded paver patio with a drainage plan. The more technical your role, the higher your value.

3. Experience

Like any trade, landscaping pays more when you know your stuff. If you’ve been in the field a few years, you can troubleshoot issues on the fly, or you know your way around specialized equipment, you’re likely making more than the average landscaper.

Landscape design training and certifications, like horticulture licenses and pesticide applications, can level up your career. It opens the door to high-end projects.

READ MORE: How to become a certified landscaping contractor

Once the business grows and it’s bringing in more than the industry average ($256,198 annually), you might pay yourself 12-15% of that. You’ll have a larger crew to pay and higher overhead.

READ MORE: How to start a landscaping business in 13 easy steps

Additional revenue streams

It’s a good idea to diversify the methods of income for your landscaping company so it won’t just come from replacing shingles. You can bring in money by offering services that go beyond typical landscaping:

• Landscape lighting installation
• Water-efficient irrigation systems
• Sod installation and lawn renovation
• Vegetation management and land clearing
• Seasonal jobs like snow removal and holiday décor
• Erosion control and minor grading
• Pathway and driveway work

READ MORE: What landscaping services to offer your customers

And managing multiple projects with a scheduling system will help you juggle it all.

With scheduling software like Jobber, you can save time and get jobs done sooner. Simply assign the landscaping job to an available worker to get it on their schedule, with all details included. They’ll receive a notification.

Growing the business

Adding more revenue streams is great, but real growth comes from tightening up your operations and finding business opportunities year-round. Here’s how to start scaling something bigger:

• Master the quoting game: Every profitable landscaping job starts with a good estimate. Whether you’re quoting a full backyard overhaul or a paver install, knowing the true costs lets you price for profit. Don’t undercut just to get the gig since you’ll burn out fast.
• Invest in your crew: Your team’s work is your brand. When they plant with care or spot drainage issues early, clients notice. The better your crew, the more confidence you’ll have when it comes time to raise prices. And the more time you’ll have to focus on scheduling, marketing, and the next big opportunity.
• Create a referral program: Word of mouth still wins in this business. Offer clients a perk (like a gift card or discount) for referring a friend. People love showing off their new patio, so give them a reason to recommend you.
• Be the landscaper everyone remembers: Building a reputation for quality and reliability can help get you more jobs and higher-paying jobs. Show up when you say you will. Go the extra mile on a landscaping project. Once clients trust you, they’ll call you back.

• Use tech like Jobber’s landscaping business software to manage and organize your client details and job history from anywhere. Keep in touch with your customers with on-my-way texts and follow-up messages. And with one click, you can turn your quotes into professional invoices as soon as a job is done.

READ MORE: 9 landscaping business tips to improve operations