2026 Landscaper Salary at a Glance
Based on BLS, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor & industry surveys
$38,090
National Median
Per year / $18.31/hr
$28K–$40K
Crew Member
Entry to mid-level
$45K–$60K
Foreman / Lead
Managing 2–4 person crews
$75K–$200K+
Business Owner
With 2+ crews running
How much do lawn care workers make? The answer ranges from $14/hr for a first-season crew member to $200K+ for an owner running multiple crews. The national median sits at $38,090/yr, but that single number hides enormous variation based on your role, region, experience, and whether you work for someone else or start your own lawn care business. This guide breaks down every number — with real data you can use to negotiate, plan, or set your own salary.
Landscaper Salary by Role
“Landscaper” covers everything from the person on the mower to the person signing the checks. Here's what each role actually pays. These figures reflect full-time, year-round employment — seasonal workers will see lower annual totals.
| Role | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
Crew Member / Laborer First 1–2 years in the industry | $14–$20 | $28,000–$40,000 |
Crew Lead / Foreman 3–5 years experience | $20–$28 | $42,000–$58,000 |
Estimator / Account Manager Sales-oriented, 2+ years field experience | $22–$32 | $46,000–$66,000 |
Landscape Designer Degree + 2–5 years design work | $28–$40 | $58,000–$83,000 |
Operations Manager 5–10 years in the industry | $25–$38 | $52,000–$79,000 |
Owner / Operator Any experience level (see Owner Income section) | Varies | $54,000–$200K+ |
Crew Member / Laborer
Mowing, trimming, edging, blowing. The entry point for most landscapers. No special certifications required.
Crew Lead / Foreman
Runs a crew of 2–4 workers, manages daily route, handles on-site customer communication. Responsible for quality and pace.
Estimator / Account Manager
Measures properties, creates proposals, manages customer relationships. Often includes commission on signed contracts.
Landscape Designer
Creates landscape plans, selects plants and materials, manages installation projects. Degree or certification typical.
Want to set your own prices instead of earning hourly? Our lawn care pricing guide breaks down what to charge for every service.
Pay by Experience Level
Experience is the single biggest controllable factor in your pay as an employee. Each year brings faster work, broader skills, and more value to an employer. Here's the typical progression.
Entry Level
$27,000–$35,000Basic mowing, trimming, edging. Learning equipment operation.
$13–$17/hr · 0–1 years
Early Career
$33,000–$44,000Independent route management, basic troubleshooting, customer communication.
$16–$21/hr · 1–3 years
Mid-Career
$40,000–$52,000Crew leadership, estimating, equipment maintenance. Often promoted to foreman.
$19–$25/hr · 3–5 years
Experienced
$46,000–$62,000Specialized services (irrigation, hardscaping), project management, training new hires.
$22–$30/hr · 5–10 years
Senior / Specialist
$54,000–$79,000Operations management, landscape design, or niche specialization (arboriculture, water features).
$26–$38/hr · 10+ years
Annual Salary Progression
The jump from mid-career to experienced is where specialization pays off. Adding hardscaping skills or irrigation certification can add $3\u2013$8/hr to your rate almost overnight.
Regional Salary Differences
Where you work matters almost as much as what you do. West Coast and Northeast landscapers earn 20–30% more per hour than the national average, but higher cost of living eats into that advantage. Here's the regional breakdown.
| Region | Hourly | Annual | vs. Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
Northeast MA, CT, NY, NJ, PA | $20–$27 | $42K–$56K | +15–25% |
Southeast FL, GA, NC, SC, TX | $15–$22 | $31K–$46K | −5–10% |
Midwest OH, IL, IN, MI, MN | $15–$21 | $31K–$44K | −10–15% |
Southwest AZ, NV, NM, CO | $16–$24 | $33K–$50K | Baseline |
West Coast CA, OR, WA | $22–$35 | $46K–$73K | +20–30% |
Top 5 Highest-Paying States (BLS Data)
Best Annual Earning Potential
Southeast & Southwest
Year-round season = 12 months of paychecks despite lower hourly
Best Hourly Rate
West Coast & Northeast
Higher COL drives rates up, but seasonal layoffs are common
“A $22/hr rate in Florida beats a $28/hr rate in Connecticut when you factor in 12 months of work vs. 7. Do the annual math, not just the hourly.”
Business Owner Income Potential
The biggest payday in landscaping is ownership. But “owner” means wildly different things depending on scale. A solo operator with a truck and a trailer may net less than a foreman at a large company. A multi-crew operation can clear well into six figures. Here's how it breaks down.
Solo Operator
Just you
$35K–$55K
owner pay / year
Annual Revenue
$50K–$80K
Net Margin
60–70%
1 Crew + Owner
1 crew (2–3 people)
$55K–$90K
owner pay / year
Annual Revenue
$120K–$200K
Net Margin
30–45%
2–3 Crews
2–3 crews, owner off truck
$75K–$150K
owner pay / year
Annual Revenue
$250K–$500K
Net Margin
20–35%
Multi-Crew Operation
4+ crews, office staff
$120K–$250K+
owner pay / year
Annual Revenue
$500K–$1M+
Net Margin
15–25%
The Owner Salary Formula
Owner Pay = Revenue × Net Margin
Industry benchmark: owners take 12\u201335% of gross revenue as personal income. At $415K revenue, that's $50K\u2013$145K in owner compensation.
The Income Ceiling Breaker
Top-performing owners (90th percentile) report earnings near $293K/yr. The common thread? High-margin services like landscape design, hardscaping, and recurring commercial contracts — not just mowing. Build your business plan around these services from day one.
Employee vs. Owner: Side-by-Side
The employee path trades upside for stability. The owner path trades stability for upside. Neither is universally “better” — it depends on your risk tolerance, financial situation, and goals. Here's an honest comparison.
Employee (Foreman-Level)
$45K–$60K
Steady W-2 paycheck, 40–50 hrs/week
Advantages
- Guaranteed weekly pay regardless of weather
- Employer covers insurance, truck, equipment
- No business overhead or admin work
- Unemployment benefits during off-season
Drawbacks
- Capped earning potential
- No equity or asset building
- Schedule controlled by employer
- Limited upside from growth
Business Owner (2–3 Crews)
$75K–$150K
Variable — depends on revenue and efficiency
Advantages
- Uncapped income potential
- Building a sellable asset
- Set your own schedule and rates
- Tax advantages (deductions, pass-through)
Drawbacks
- Income varies by season and weather
- You fund insurance, equipment, payroll
- Nights and weekends doing admin work
- Personal financial risk
“I made $52K as a foreman with zero stress. Now I make $130K as an owner but I work 60-hour weeks. More money, but not free money.”
Thinking about making the jump? Read our full how to start a lawn care business guide and make sure you're covered with proper business insurance before you go solo.
What Affects Your Pay
Two landscapers with the same job title can earn dramatically different salaries. Here are the six factors that create the biggest pay gaps — and each one is something you can control or plan for.
Certifications
+$2–$6/hrPesticide applicator license, NALP certifications, and irrigation technician credentials all command premium pay. Many employers cover the cost.
Specialization
+$4–$10/hrHardscaping, irrigation, landscape design, and arboriculture pay significantly more than basic maintenance. The narrower the specialty, the higher the rate.
Season Length
±30% annualA 12-month Florida season vs. a 7-month Wisconsin season can mean a $10K–$15K difference in annual take-home, even at the same hourly rate.
Commercial vs. Residential
+10–20%Commercial maintenance contracts (HOAs, office parks, municipalities) tend to pay higher hourly rates and offer more consistent year-round hours.
Service Mix
VariableLawn care workers who offer high-margin add-ons (fertilization, aeration, overseeding) earn more than crews that only mow. Diversify your services.
Education & Training
+$2–$5/hrA horticulture degree or landscape architecture training opens doors to design roles paying $58K–$83K. Not required, but it accelerates the timeline.
The Fastest Way to Increase Your Pay
Get your pesticide applicator license (most states offer it for under $200 and a half-day exam), then start offering fertilization programs and aeration services. These high-margin add-ons can boost your effective hourly rate by 30\u201350% without adding many hours.
Quick Reference: Landscaper Salary
Save This Summary
National Median
$38,090/yr
Median Hourly
$18.31/hr
Owner Pay (2–3 Crews)
$75K–$150K
Top 10% Owners
$293K+
Salary by Role (Annual)
Crew Member
$28K–$40K
Crew Lead
$42K–$58K
Estimator
$46K–$66K
Designer
$58K–$83K
Ops Manager
$52K–$79K
Owner
$54K–$200K+
Highest-Paying States
MA ($48.8K) • DC ($48.1K) • WA ($48K) • AK ($46.4K) • CT ($45.3K)
Related Tools & Guides
Ready to earn on the owner side of the table? Start with our startup guide, set competitive rates with the pricing guide, and protect your income with the right business insurance.
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