Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker Salary in Washington, DC
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $42,700 a year — 9% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,093 take-home, or $2,924 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median landscaping and groundskeeping worker salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,944
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,647
- Medicare (1.45%)$619
- District of Columbia income tax$1,396
- Take-home pay$35,093
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,000 | $17.79 | $30,856 | $2,571 |
| 25th percentile | $38,460 | $18.49 | $31,941 | $2,662 |
| Median (50th) | $42,700 | $20.53 | $35,093 | $2,924 |
| 75th percentile | $46,290 | $22.25 | $37,763 | $3,147 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,090 | $26.97 | $45,049 | $3,754 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $42,700 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median landscaping and groundskeeping worker's $35,093 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,230 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.89).
Best-paying cities for landscaping and groundskeeping workers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #55 of 73 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha, NE | $45,970 | $37,905 | $41,241 |
| 2 | Milwaukee, WI | $44,440 | $36,713 | $37,873 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $41,450 | $34,474 | $37,252 |
| 4 | Portland, ME | $46,670 | $37,711 | $37,023 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $48,480 | $41,134 | $37,013 |
| 6 | Providence, RI | $45,250 | $37,458 | $36,806 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $47,160 | $38,369 | $36,604 |
| 8 | Boise City, ID | $43,540 | $35,965 | $36,553 |
| 55 | Washington, DC | $42,700 | $35,093 | $32,230 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 73 metros →
About the job: landscaping and groundskeeping workers
Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a landscaping and groundskeeping worker make in Washington, DC?
The median landscaping and groundskeeping worker salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $42,700 a year, or about $20.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,460 and $46,290.
What is a landscaping and groundskeeping worker’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $42,700 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $35,093 a year ($2,924 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,396 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a landscaping and groundskeeping worker?
Pay here is 9% above the national median of $39,150. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,230 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #55 of 73 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a landscaping and groundskeeping worker afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 68% of a median landscaping and groundskeeping worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.