How Much do Landscapers Make? 2025 Salary Guide

November 26, 2024 Jennifer Allerson

If you’re wondering how much do landscapers make, you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you’re starting a career in landscaping, looking to advance, or considering hiring a landscaper, this guide has all the essential information you need.

If you’re new to the field, you might be asking yourself: Is landscaping a career that can meet my personal and professional goals? Can it provide a steady and sustainable income?

We’ll answer these questions and more by breaking down the key factors that influence landscapers’ earnings.

From how location and experience affect income to the advantages of specializing in specific services, we’ll cover it all.

Plus, we’ll share actionable strategies to help landscapers grow their earnings.

Let’s get started!

The Basics: How Much Do Landscapers Make?

Average landscaper salaries round $30,000 per year in the United States. This figure varies significantly depending on factors like experience, location, and the type of services offered.

What you do also matters. Maintaining gardens, designing outdoor spaces, or managing large-scale projects all come with different earning potentials. For instance, a landscaper who focuses on creative designs for high-end homes can ask for higher rates than someone doing routine maintenance work.

Most landscapers are paid hourly. Entry-level workers salary vary between $13,25 and $16,63 per hour. Experienced professionals or specialists can earn $25 to $30 per hour or more. Those in management roles or offering niche services often earn even more.

For example, a landscape designer focusing on high-end residential projects might earn $60,000 annually. Someone handling general garden maintenance in a rural area might make closer to $28,000.

Does Location Matter? Absolutely!

Yes, location plays a big role in how much landscapers earn.

Urban areas and high-cost states, like California or New York, tend to offer higher wages. However, the increased income is often offset by higher living expenses, such as housing and transportation.

For example, a landscaper in Los Angeles might earn $45,000 annually. Yet, their purchasing power is lower due to California’s high cost of living.

In contrast, a landscaper in Dayton, Ohio, might earn $30,000, but with lower housing and utility costs, they may actually save more.

Growing cities like Austin, Texas, often provide better opportunities due to high demand for landscaping in new developments.

Here’s a look at average annual salaries in some states:

California: $36,000–$50,000
New York: $33,000–$48,000
Texas: $28,000–$42,000
Florida: $26,000–$40,000
Ohio: $24,000–$38,000

Landscaper Earnings by Experience Level

Experience also impacts your earnings as a landscaper. Here’s a breakdown:

Entry-Level Landscapers: Typically earn $12–$15 per hour, equating to $25,000–$30,000 annually.
Experienced Landscapers: With several years in the industry, professionals earn $20–$30 per hour, or $35,000–$45,000 annually.
Supervisors or Crew Leaders: Managing teams or overseeing large projects can bring salaries of $45,000–$60,000+ annually.

For example, Sarah started as an entry-level landscaper earning $14 per hour. After earning certifications in hardscaping and project management, she moved into a supervisory role. Now, she earns $58,000 annually while managing a team of five.

Tip! Investing in professional development, such as leadership training or industry certifications, can help you move into these higher-paying roles faster.

Specialization Makes a Difference

Specializing in specific areas of landscaping can significantly boost your earnings:

Landscape Designers and Architects: Earn $50,000–$70,000 annually by creating outdoor spaces that blend functionality with aesthetics.
Arborists and Tree Care Specialists: Focus on tree health and maintenance, earning $40,000–$60,000 annually.
Hardscapers: Specialize in patios, walls, and pathways, earning $45,000–$65,000 annually.
Irrigation Technicians: Manage water systems, earning $35,000–$55,000 annually.

Mark, a hardscaper in Denver, earns $68,000 annually by combining technical expertise with creative design. He focuses on custom outdoor living spaces, such as patios and retaining walls, which are highly valued in his city.

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Residential vs. Commercial Landscaping

The type of clients you serve also affects your income:

• Residential Landscaping: Projects for homeowners typically yield annual earnings of $25,000–$40,000. These jobs offer opportunities for recurring work and long-term client relationships.

• Commercial Landscaping: Working on office parks, retail centers, or industrial sites often pays more, with earnings between $30,000 and $50,000 annually.

• Government Contracts: Municipal or federal projects are often stable and pay $35,000–$55,000 or more annually.

Emma, a landscaper in Florida, has worked with all types of clients and seen how they impact her income. Early on, she focused on residential landscaping, earning about $30,000 a year.

She built strong relationships with homeowners who often hired her for seasonal jobs. Later, she moved to commercial projects, like maintaining office parks and retail centers, which increased her earnings to $45,000 a year.

Recently, Emma took on a government contract to redesign and maintain a city park. This job pays $55,000 a year and provides steady work. It also gives her the chance to show off her skills on a bigger project.

While each type of client has helped her grow, Emma finds government contracts the most rewarding for both income and career development.

Did you know? Some landscapers specialize in unique niches, like creating outdoor sets for films. These roles require specialized skills and often pay well—up to $113,873 annually.

Seasonal Work: A Double-Edged Sword

Landscaping demand peaks in spring and summer, leaving many landscapers facing income gaps during fall and winter. To address this, savvy landscapers diversify their services to ensure steady income year-round.

Popular options landscapers include snow removal and holiday lighting. Winter pruning is another valuable service, as certain trees and shrubs benefit from trimming during their dormant season.

These additional offerings not keep landscapers busy during slower months. But they also help build stronger client relationships and expand their reputation, ensuring financial stability throughout the year.

Alex, a landscaper in Michigan, has found a smart way to keep his income steady all year. In the warmer months, he focuses on landscaping projects like mowing lawns, planting flowers, and building garden features. But when the snow starts falling, his work doesn’t stop. Alex shifts to offering snow plowing services during the winter.

Snow plowing not only helps him avoid the seasonal slowdown but also builds stronger relationships with his customers. Many of them return to him for landscaping work in the spring. This year-round approach has helped Alex grow his business and avoid the financial stress that often comes with seasonal work.

Independent vs. Employed Landscapers

Should you work for yourself or join an established company? Deciding between working independently or joining a company depends on your goals and circumstances.

Independent Landscapers: Enjoy flexibility to set rates, select clients, and manage their schedules. However, they bear the cost of equipment, insurance, and marketing.
Employed Landscapers: Receive steady income, provided tools, and often benefits like health insurance. The trade-off is limited earning potential and less control over projects.

Maria began her career working for a landscaping company. She gained valuable experience but felt limited in using her creativity. She wanted more control over her work, so she decided to start her own landscaping business.

The transition wasn’t easy. Maria had to learn how to find clients, manage her expenses, and promote her services. Through hard work and dedication, she built a loyal customer base. Over time, she earned a reputation for delivering high-quality work.

Today, Maria earns $75,000 a year. She enjoys choosing projects that reflect her style, such as eco-friendly yards and luxury gardens. Running her own business takes more effort, but Maria loves the freedom and opportunities it brings.

Tip! If you’re considering going independent, check out our guide on How to Price Landscaping Jobs to set yourself up for success.

How Landscaping Compares to Other Skilled Trades

Landscaping salaries often start lower than other skilled trades but can grow with specialization.

Here’s a comparison of average annual salaries:

Electricians: $56,000 per year
Plumbers: $55,000 per year
Carpenters: $49,000 per year
Landscapers: $30,000–$60,000

Jason started his landscaping career earning $14 an hour, mostly doing basic lawn care. He enjoyed working outdoors but noticed his friends in other trades made more money.

Mike, an electrician, earned $56,000 a year, Dan, a plumber, made $55,000. Jason wanted to increase his income, so he decided to specialize in hardscaping and irrigation systems.

He took evening classes to earn certifications and practiced his skills on small projects during weekends. Over time, Jason became known for designing patios and installing water-efficient systems. Within a few years, he was earning $65,000 a year, more than his friends.

Jason proved that with the right skills and hard work, landscaping could pay as well as other trades.

Tips to Boost Your Earnings

Here are strategies to grow your landscaper income:

1. Specialize: Focus on high-demand areas like hardscaping or irrigation to command higher rates.

2. Certifications: Credentials like arborist certifications or irrigation technician licenses can enhance your credibility and attract more clients.

3. Diversify: Offer additional services, such as snow removal or pest control, to ensure a steady income year-round.

4. Build Loyalty: Deliver excellent service to build a reliable client base that provides recurring work and referrals.

5. Take Leadership Roles: Move into supervisory positions to unlock higher salaries and greater responsibilities.

6. Use Technology: Tools like InvoiceFly help landscapers streamline invoicing, manage payments, and track earnings. The right technology allows you to focus more on your projects and clients.

James had been a landscaper for five years when he decided to make changes to grow his income. He started specializing in hardscaping, focusing on designing patios and building retaining walls. To keep his income steady during the winter, he added snow removal to his services.

James also worked hard to build a loyal client base by providing excellent service and staying reliable. Within two years, his efforts paid off. He went from earning $16 an hour to making $75,000 a year, proving how smart strategies and dedication can transform a landscaping career.

Final Thoughts

Landscaping is more than just a job. It’s a creative and hands-on career that lets you transform outdoor spaces. You get to work in nature and make a visible impact on people’s lives. While starting salaries may be low, there are many ways to grow.

Specializing in areas like hardscaping, tree care, or irrigation can increase your earnings. Adding seasonal services like snow removal can also help you earn steady income year-round. With hard work and the right skills, landscapers can earn as much as other skilled trades.

You can succeed in landscaping whether you work for a company or run your own business. Independent landscapers enjoy choosing their projects and setting their rates.

Those working for companies benefit from steady paychecks and tools provided by their employer. Both options have their rewards, and you can find success in either path with the right approach.

Tools like Invoice Fly can help streamline your workflow by tracking earnings, managing invoices, and letting you focus on delivering exceptional results. Whether you’re handling a single project or running your own business, staying on top of administrative tasks is essential for long-term success.

Landscaping offers endless opportunities for growth and creativity. It’s a career where you can combine your passion for the outdoors with a stable financial future. With the right skills, smart strategies, and dedication, you can build a career that’s both rewarding and profitable. The opportunities are there—go for them!

Ready grow your career?

Get Invoice Fly today!