Quick answer: Landscapers in Kentucky typically bill $40–$55 per hour (2025). The median landscaper earns $17.63/hr ($36,670/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — a landscaping business charges roughly 2–3× that 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 Kentucky compares to other states.
Landscaper income in Kentucky (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Kentucky's ~8,920 landscaping, and groundskeeping workers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $13.43 | ~$2,328 | ~$27,934 |
| Median (typical) | $17.63 | ~$3,056 | $36,670 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $23.68 | ~$4,105 | ~$49,254 |
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) | ~$18/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $40–$55/hr |
Where Kentucky ranks
Kentucky pays landscapers 6% below the national median, ranking 44th of 51 states — among the lowest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $23.46 |
| Kentucky (44th) | $17.63 |
| National median | $18.82 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $15.21 |
Landscaper rates by Kentucky metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median landscaper wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $18.19/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Lexington-Fayette | $17.69/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Owensboro | $17.28/hr | $40–$50/hr |
| Bowling Green | $17.13/hr | $40–$50/hr |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $16.50/hr | $35–$50/hr |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $16.50/hr | $35–$50/hr |
| East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $16.43/hr | $35–$50/hr |
What common landscaping jobs cost in Kentucky
At Kentucky billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Kentucky range |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (per visit) | $35–$110 |
| Full yard cleanup | $175–$550 |
| Sod installation | $900–$3,700 |
| Mulch installation | $175–$750 |
| Tree / shrub planting | $150–$550 |
| Irrigation system install | $1,400–$4,700 |
| Retaining wall | $2,000–$7,500 |
| Paver patio installation | $2,500–$8,500 |
| Seasonal fertilization | $45–$185 |
| Landscape design & install | $3,000–$11,000 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How landscapers compare to other trades in Kentucky
Here's how landscaper pay lines up against Kentucky's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $25.33/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Painter | $23.13/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Handyman | $22.50/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Landscaper | $17.63/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Cleaner | $15.54/hr | $35–$45/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 Kentucky?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Kentucky contractor & trade licensing to check whether landscapers need a state license in Kentucky, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do landscapers charge per hour in Kentucky?
In 2025, most Kentucky landscapers bill $40–$55 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $18/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average landscaper salary in Kentucky?
The median landscaper in Kentucky earns about $36,670 a year ($17.63/hr). Entry-level landscapers earn around $28,000 and the most experienced earn $49,000 or more.
Do landscapers earn more in Kentucky than nationally?
Kentucky's median landscaper wage is about 6% below the national median of $18.82/hr, ranking 44th of 51 states.
Which Kentucky city pays landscapers the most?
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN, at a $18.19/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state.
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.