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Updated · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker Salary

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers earn a median $39,150 a year nationally. Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

U.S. median
$39,150
$18.82 per hour
Range
$31,150 – $56,730
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
952,640
across the U.S.
▲2.8%
Pay trend: The median for landscaping and groundskeeping workers in the U.S. rose from $38,090 (May 2024) to $39,150 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).

What landscaping and groundskeeping workers do

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)
Openings per year
149,500
Self-employed
20%

Employment of landscaping and groundskeeping workers is projected to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 149,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.

Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker
Deductions, kids & local tax

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay
$33,637
per year · effective tax rate 14.1%
$2,803Monthly
$1,402Twice a month
$1,294Every 2 weeks
$16.17Hourly
  • Federal income tax$2,518
  • Social Security (6.2%)$2,427
  • Medicare (1.45%)$568
  • Texas income tax$0
  • Take-home pay$33,637

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

PercentileSalaryHourlyTake-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)$31,150$14.98$27,209
25th percentile$36,190$17.40$31,259
Median (50th)$39,150$18.82$33,637
75th percentile$46,830$22.51$39,808
90th percentile (top earners)$56,730$27.27$47,763

Best cities for landscaping and groundskeeping workers (after tax & cost of living)

#Metro areaMedianTake-homeReal value*Jobs
1Omaha, NE$45,970$37,905$41,2413,870
2Milwaukee, WI$44,440$36,713$37,8735,020
3Kansas City, MO$41,450$34,474$37,2526,660
4Portland, ME$46,670$37,711$37,0233,180
5Seattle, WA$48,480$41,134$37,01311,780
6Providence, RI$45,250$37,458$36,8065,530
7Minneapolis, MN$47,160$38,369$36,60411,820
8Boise City, ID$43,540$35,965$36,5533,650
9Boston, MA$49,030$39,344$36,34015,120
10Hartford, CT$44,860$37,131$36,1394,060
11Salt Lake City, UT$43,890$36,437$36,1235,090
12Denver, CO$46,270$38,030$35,95210,900
13Bridgeport, CT$46,430$38,322$35,8614,920
14San Jose, CA$48,330$39,436$35,7136,000
15Colorado Springs, CO$43,480$35,911$35,6592,410
16Buffalo, NY$41,770$34,084$35,5622,870
17Santa Rosa, CA$46,740$38,269$35,5052,740
18Chicago, IL$45,280$36,466$35,20025,160
19Columbus, OH$39,100$33,304$34,8856,820
20Cleveland, OH$38,230$32,629$34,7406,910
21Sacramento, CA$45,110$37,046$34,7297,410
22Cincinnati, OH$38,600$32,916$34,5146,610
23Portland, OR$46,450$36,268$34,4036,710
24St. Louis, MO$39,040$32,651$34,3389,600
25Tulsa, OK$36,780$30,623$34,3252,360

*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).

Highest-paying cities

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker salary by state

StateMedian1-yr changeTake-homeRangeJobs
District of Columbia $48,790+3.1%$39,621 $38,980 – $66,500800
Massachusetts $48,670+3.4%$39,073 $37,800 – $62,17022,880
Alaska $47,690+2.5%$40,499 $33,550 – $62,8001,080
Washington $46,950+1.6%$39,904 $37,510 – $61,03022,550
Minnesota $46,610−0.3%$37,956 $30,510 – $61,29017,610
Vermont $46,230+12.1%$38,211 $36,590 – $61,9502,700
Maine $45,970+1.1%$37,196 $34,800 – $57,6206,410
Hawaii $45,920+2.5%$37,086 $34,220 – $56,1907,040
Colorado $45,760+1.8%$37,643 $36,280 – $60,20021,990
Connecticut $45,740+1.8%$37,799 $35,850 – $58,66013,490
California $45,560+2.8%$37,383 $36,780 – $61,200106,180
Montana $45,350+14.7%$37,244 $32,170 – $59,3404,270
Oregon $45,040+4.3%$35,258 $35,870 – $58,94011,870
New Hampshire $44,890+0.8%$38,249 $34,540 – $59,4006,050
New York $44,840+0.3%$36,385 $34,950 – $59,92047,600
Rhode Island $44,730+0.3%$37,060 $36,600 – $57,8804,040
Illinois $43,790+1.6%$35,342 $32,010 – $61,19034,780
Idaho $41,600+7.8%$34,509 $30,960 – $58,1007,980
New Jersey $41,360+2.4%$34,675 $35,450 – $55,05030,470
Wisconsin $41,230+4.9%$34,275 $29,820 – $58,35018,970
North Dakota $40,790+3.2%$34,955 $31,480 – $57,6002,100
Utah $40,740+4.6%$34,047 $32,140 – $57,18012,850
Pennsylvania $39,500+4.6%$32,706 $29,780 – $53,32034,850
Maryland $39,380+3.5%$32,315 $35,990 – $55,49017,440
Kansas $39,330+4.1%$32,387 $29,680 – $49,3009,480
Nebraska $39,140+3.3%$32,728 $29,670 – $57,9607,280
Iowa $38,920+3.9%$32,625 $28,480 – $58,4208,800
Arizona $38,910+2.6%$32,680 $35,520 – $48,50022,450
Nevada $38,820+3.2%$33,372 $31,800 – $60,2909,980
Missouri $38,520+3.0%$32,258 $30,610 – $50,43018,310
Virginia $38,410+2.2%$31,648 $31,200 – $49,98025,180
Wyoming $38,310+3.0%$32,962 $29,760 – $47,2701,790
Ohio $38,220+2.6%$32,621 $28,670 – $49,07034,420
Michigan $38,120+0.6%$31,440 $29,970 – $49,67032,330
Indiana $38,070+2.9%$31,676 $28,870 – $49,82019,260
Georgia $37,970+3.1%$31,341 $28,710 – $47,61025,510
North Carolina $37,910+2.8%$31,637 $30,580 – $47,49032,730
New Mexico $37,560+5.1%$31,712 $29,860 – $48,8605,030
Delaware $37,350+0.8%$30,795 $32,910 – $46,6204,130
Florida $37,100+3.0%$31,990 $30,660 – $47,39086,040
Tennessee $37,020−0.2%$31,926 $29,480 – $47,65018,250
Texas $36,740+1.4%$31,701 $28,810 – $47,91063,430
South Carolina $36,710+1.6%$30,631 $28,590 – $47,01015,600
Kentucky $36,670+2.6%$30,478 $27,930 – $49,2508,920
Arkansas $35,770+3.8%$29,739 $26,710 – $45,3106,610
Oklahoma $35,770+2.5%$29,857 $28,040 – $46,7409,280
Alabama $35,630+1.3%$29,292 $26,370 – $47,27012,020
South Dakota $35,370+12.6%$30,600 $29,100 – $46,7002,980
Louisiana $34,870+7.2%$29,538 $24,700 – $42,6708,510
West Virginia $32,240+6.4%$27,244 $25,330 – $42,6103,340
Mississippi $31,630+2.6%$27,062 $24,380 – $45,3904,940

Related jobs

JobMedian salaryEducationGrowth 2025–35
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$46,340High school diploma or equivalent+3.9%
Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other$46,860No formal educational credential+3.7%
Tree Trimmer and Pruner$50,960High school diploma or equivalent+4.2%
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36,840No formal educational credential+2.2%
Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner$35,510No formal educational credential+0.6%
Building Cleaning Workers, All Other$44,040No formal educational credential+2.0%
Pest Control Worker$45,250High school diploma or equivalent+5.5%
First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$49,100High school diploma or equivalent+3.2%
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$58,430High school diploma or equivalent+4.0%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a landscaping and groundskeeping worker make?

The national median salary for landscaping and groundskeeping workers is $39,150 a year ($18.82 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,150 and the top 10% earn over $56,730. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays landscaping and groundskeeping workers the most?

District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $48,790. After taxes and local prices, Omaha, NE offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.

How many landscaping and groundskeeping workers are there in the U.S.?

About 952,640 people work as landscaping and groundskeeping workers nationwide.

All 73 cities