Quick answer: The median landscaper in Michigan earns $18.33/hr — about $38,120 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $50,000+. To hire one, a landscaping business typically bills $40–$55 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 Michigan compares to other states.
Landscaper income in Michigan (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Michigan's ~32,330 landscaping, and groundskeeping workers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $14.41 | ~$2,498 | ~$29,973 |
| Median (typical) | $18.33 | ~$3,177 | $38,120 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $23.88 | ~$4,139 | ~$49,670 |
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 Michigan ranks
Michigan pays landscapers 3% below the national median, ranking 34th of 51 states — in the lower-middle nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $23.46 |
| Michigan (34th) | $18.33 |
| National median | $18.82 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $15.21 |
Landscaper rates by Michigan metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median landscaper wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $18.67/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Ann Arbor | $18.61/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Lansing-East Lansing | $18.15/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | $18.01/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $17.69/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $17.66/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Flint | $17.61/hr | $40–$55/hr |
What common landscaping jobs cost in Michigan
At Michigan billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Michigan range |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (per visit) | $40–$115 |
| Full yard cleanup | $200–$575 |
| Sod installation | $1,000–$3,900 |
| Mulch installation | $200–$775 |
| Tree / shrub planting | $150–$575 |
| Irrigation system install | $1,500–$4,900 |
| Retaining wall | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Paver patio installation | $2,500–$9,000 |
| Seasonal fertilization | $50–$195 |
| Landscape design & install | $3,000–$11,500 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How landscapers compare to other trades in Michigan
Here's how landscaper pay lines up against Michigan's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $29.66/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Painter | $24.35/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Handyman | $22.87/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Landscaper | $18.33/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Cleaner | $17.33/hr | $40–$50/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 Michigan?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Michigan contractor & trade licensing to check whether landscapers need a state license in Michigan, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do landscapers make in Michigan?
The median landscaper in Michigan earns about $38,120 a year ($18.33/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level landscapers earn around $30,000 and the most experienced earn $50,000 or more.
Can a landscaper make $100,000 a year in Michigan?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of landscapers in Michigan earn about $50,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own landscaping business and billing $40–$55/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do landscapers charge per hour in Michigan?
In 2025, most Michigan landscapers bill $40–$55 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $18/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do landscapers earn more in Michigan than nationally?
Michigan's median landscaper wage is about 3% below the national median of $18.82/hr, ranking 34th of 51 states.
Which Michigan city pays landscapers the most?
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, at a $18.67/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.