StrategyDec 1, 2025
Choosing a career in landscaping means spending your days outdoors, staying active, and creating outdoor spaces people love. But once you get past the fresh-cut grass and the satisfaction of a job well done, a practical question always comes up: What does a landscaper actually earn?
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Landscaper earnings vary based on geography, cost of living, job title, seasons, and skill specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average pay for a landscaper sits in the range most beginners and experienced workers fall into.
Here is the national snapshot:
Pay Category | Typical range |
|---|---|
Hourly wage | $15 to $25 per hour |
Weekly earnings | $600 - $1,200 for most full time landscapers |
Monthly income | $2,500 to $4,200 depending on hours and season |
Annual salary | $30,000 to $55,000 for most workers |
Top earners | $60,000 to $100,000+, especially business owners |
These national averages serve as a reliable baseline for most landscaper job titles. Actual earnings can rise or fall depending on cost of living, the amount of year-round work available, commercial versus residential job sites, and regional demand.
While high-cost states like Alaska, Colorado, Massachusetts, and parts of California (including San Francisco) typically offer higher pay, other states such as Florida or North Carolina may align more closely with the national average despite offering more consistent year-round work.
Most landscaper salaries start with hourly rates. Here is how it usually breaks down:
Skill sets that increase your hourly rate include:
These specializations appear in job postings with significantly higher pay.
This does not include overtime pay which is typically at a higher rate.
A landscaper working full-time hours will typically land in this range:
Keep in mind that landscaping is not always year-round. In colder climates, some workers shift to snow removal, indoor labor, or part-time jobs during slow seasons. This affects total annual salary unless hours stay consistent.
When you zoom out to annual earnings, most landscapers fall into predictable ranges.
$30,000 to $38,000
$45,000 to $55,000
$60,000 to $75,000
$70,000 to $150,000+
Top earning business owners running multiple crews often exceed $150,000, depending on how many maintenance contracts, commercial clients, and landscape projects they manage.
Running a landscaping business also means learning how to price jobs correctly, manage labor hours, and keep track of operating costs. Many landscaping business owners rely on tools like Duranta to schedule crews, manage proposals, and handle invoicing so labor hours and job profitability stay consistent.
Every landscaper salary is shaped by a mix of factors.
Landscapers in high cost-of-living markets earn more. Examples:
Warm states like Florida provide more year-round work, which can increase annual salary even if hourly rates stay moderate.
Entry-level workers earn the lowest pay. After 2 to 4 years, many advance to:
More technical skills lead to higher salaries:
Your income changes depending on where you work:
Landscaping is often tied to weather, although some markets provide year-round work. Many landscapers add:
Indoor maintenance to maintain incomeLandscaping work often slows in winter, but many landscapers maintain steady income by offering off-season services. Common options include:
These year-round services help landscapers stabilize income even in colder climates where outdoor work is more seasonal.
Residential clients tip more often than commercial clients. Crew leaders may also earn bonuses for efficiency or customer satisfaction.
Freelance lawn care, mowing, mulching, and small repairs can significantly boost income.
Many landscapers earn extra by retaining long-term maintenance clients and upselling new landscape projects.
Running your own landscaping business creates the largest income jump, but it comes with extra costs.
Especially for independent landscapers, these costs matter:
This is why many small landscaping businesses use platforms like Duranta to automate scheduling, client communication, and invoicing in one place. Better organization leads to higher profit margins.
Landscaper salaries vary significantly by region, especially in states where the cost of living is higher or where commercial landscaping demand is strong. Based on national trends and adjusted averages, these states consistently rank among the highest paying for full-time landscapers.
Landscapers in Alaska often earn $22 to $28 per hour, with annual salaries commonly ranging from $45,000 to $58,000. Remote regions and short growing seasons increase pay for skilled labor.
Colorado’s strong commercial landscaping sector pushes wages into the $20 to $26 per hour range. Experienced landscapers frequently earn $50,000 to $60,000 per year, especially around Denver and Boulder.
High cost of living and dense suburban markets put typical pay between $21 and $27 per hour. Annual earnings regularly fall between $48,000 and $62,000, with higher pay in Boston-area jobs.
California has some of the highest salaries in the country. Most landscapers earn $22 to $30 per hour, while San Francisco workers often exceed $30 to $35+ per hour. Annual pay ranges from $50,000 to $70,000, with specialists earning even more.
North Carolina offers steady year-round work and strong commercial demand. Hourly rates typically land between $18 and $24 per hour, but commercial landscapers and crew leads can reach $25 to $30 per hour, resulting in annual incomes around $45,000 to $62,000.
Reminder: Before you start taking on bigger jobs, make sure you’re properly licensed. Here’s a simple, state-by-state overview of what’s required: how to get a landscaping license by state.
Here is the difference in simple terms:
Role | Typical Income |
|---|---|
Landscape worker | $18 to $25 per hour |
Experienced landscaper | $40,000 to $55,000 per year |
Crew leader | $50,000 to $70,000 per year |
Landscape business owner | $70,000 to $150,000+ |
Owning a business has higher upside because you earn from labor, materials, and maintenance contracts. Many owners grow income by hiring crews and managing more landscape projects at once.
Here are the clearest steps to increase your earning potential:
Consider starting your own landscaping business once you build confidence.
The landscaping industry is growing. More homeowners are investing in outdoor living spaces. Commercial properties depend on consistent maintenance. And new areas like sustainable landscaping, smart irrigation, and outdoor construction continue to expand the earning potential for skilled workers.
If you stay consistent, invest in your skills, and focus on year-round income streams, landscaping can provide a stable and highly rewarding career.
Tools like Duranta help landscapers and business owners track crews, jobs, and profitability so earnings stay strong.
Most landscapers earn $30,000 to $55,000 per year, depending on skills and location.
Yes. Hardscaping, irrigation systems, and technical work offer some of the highest paying roles in the industry. Learn how to start a hardscaping business with Duranta’s 8-step guide.
It depends on the region. Some states provide steady work while others rely on seasonal tasks like snow removal.
Business owners often earn $70,000 to $150,000+, especially when they run multiple crews and manage recurring clients.
