Quick answer: The median landscaper in Illinois earns $21.05/hr — about $43,790 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $61,000+. To hire one, a landscaping business typically bills $45–$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 Illinois compares to other states.
Landscaper income in Illinois (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Illinois's ~34,780 landscaping, and groundskeeping workers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $15.39 | ~$2,668 | ~$32,011 |
| Median (typical) | $21.05 | ~$3,649 | $43,790 |
| 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) | ~$21/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $45–$65/hr |
Where Illinois ranks
Illinois pays landscapers 12% above the national median, ranking 17th of 51 states — in the upper tier nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $23.46 |
| Illinois (17th) | $21.05 |
| National median | $18.82 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $15.21 |
Landscaper rates by Illinois metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median landscaper wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $21.77/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Bloomington | $18.25/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Rockford | $18.16/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Peoria | $17.95/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $17.85/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $17.61/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $17.44/hr | $40–$50/hr |
What common landscaping jobs cost in Illinois
At Illinois billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Illinois range |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (per visit) | $45–$135 |
| Full yard cleanup | $225–$675 |
| Sod installation | $1,100–$4,500 |
| Mulch installation | $225–$900 |
| Tree / shrub planting | $175–$675 |
| Irrigation system install | $1,700–$5,600 |
| Retaining wall | $2,000–$9,000 |
| Paver patio installation | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Seasonal fertilization | $55–$225 |
| Landscape design & install | $3,500–$13,500 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How landscapers compare to other trades in Illinois
Here's how landscaper pay lines up against Illinois's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $37.98/hr | $85–$115/hr |
| Painter | $29.45/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Handyman | $27.27/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Landscaper | $21.05/hr | $45–$65/hr |
| Cleaner | $18.18/hr | $40–$55/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 Illinois?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Illinois contractor & trade licensing to check whether landscapers need a state license in Illinois, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do landscapers make in Illinois?
The median landscaper in Illinois earns about $43,790 a year ($21.05/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level landscapers earn around $32,000 and the most experienced earn $61,000 or more.
Can a landscaper make $100,000 a year in Illinois?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of landscapers in Illinois earn about $61,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own landscaping business and billing $45–$65/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do landscapers charge per hour in Illinois?
In 2025, most Illinois landscapers bill $45–$65 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $21/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do landscapers earn more in Illinois than nationally?
Yes — Illinois's median landscaper wage is about 12% above the national median of $18.82/hr, ranking 17th of 51 states.
Which Illinois city pays landscapers the most?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, at a $21.77/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.