Quick answer: The median landscaper in California earns $21.90/hr — about $45,560 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $61,000+. To hire one, a landscaping business typically bills $50–$65 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what landscapers earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how California compares to other states.
Landscaper income in California (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for California's ~106,180 landscaping, and groundskeeping workers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $17.68 | ~$3,065 | ~$36,774 |
| Median (typical) | $21.90 | ~$3,797 | $45,560 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $29.42 | ~$5,099 | ~$61,194 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a landscaper takes home. What a landscaping business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median landscaper wage (earned) | ~$22/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $50–$65/hr |
Where California ranks
California pays landscapers 16% above the national median, ranking 11th of 51 states — in the upper tier nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $23.46 |
| California (11th) | $21.90 |
| National median | $18.82 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $15.21 |
Landscaper rates by California metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median landscaper wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $23.24/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $23.10/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $21.90/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $21.69/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $21.54/hr | $45–$65/hr |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $21.46/hr | $45–$65/hr |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $20.99/hr | $45–$65/hr |
What common landscaping jobs cost in California
At California billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical California range |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (per visit) | $45–$140 |
| Full yard cleanup | $225–$700 |
| Sod installation | $1,200–$4,700 |
| Mulch installation | $225–$925 |
| Tree / shrub planting | $175–$700 |
| Irrigation system install | $1,700–$5,800 |
| Retaining wall | $2,500–$9,500 |
| Paver patio installation | $3,000–$10,500 |
| Seasonal fertilization | $60–$235 |
| Landscape design & install | $3,500–$14,000 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How landscapers compare to other trades in California
Here's how landscaper pay lines up against California's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $36.50/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| Painter | $28.38/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Handyman | $27.41/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Landscaper | $21.90/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Cleaner | $19.75/hr | $45–$60/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free landscaper estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do landscapers need a license in California?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See California contractor & trade licensing to check whether landscapers need a state license in California, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do landscapers make in California?
The median landscaper in California earns about $45,560 a year ($21.90/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level landscapers earn around $37,000 and the most experienced earn $61,000 or more.
Can a landscaper make $100,000 a year in California?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of landscapers in California earn about $61,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own landscaping business and billing $50–$65/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do landscapers charge per hour in California?
In 2025, most California landscapers bill $50–$65 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $22/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do landscapers earn more in California than nationally?
Yes — California's median landscaper wage is about 16% above the national median of $18.82/hr, ranking 11th of 51 states.
Which California city pays landscapers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, at a $23.24/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for landscapers.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.