Quick answer: Landscapers in Minnesota typically bill $50–$65 per hour (2025). The median landscaper earns $22.41/hr ($46,610/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 Minnesota compares to other states.
Landscaper income in Minnesota (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Minnesota's ~17,610 landscaping, and groundskeeping workers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $14.67 | ~$2,543 | ~$30,514 |
| Median (typical) | $22.41 | ~$3,884 | $46,610 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $29.47 | ~$5,108 | ~$61,298 |
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 Minnesota ranks
Minnesota pays landscapers 19% above the national median, ranking 5th of 51 states — among the highest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $23.46 |
| Minnesota (5th) | $22.41 |
| National median | $18.82 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $15.21 |
Landscaper rates by Minnesota metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median landscaper wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $22.67/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Rochester | $21.90/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| St. Cloud | $21.04/hr | $45–$65/hr |
| Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $20.00/hr | $45–$60/hr |
| Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $18.36/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $18.36/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $18.35/hr | $40–$55/hr |
What common landscaping jobs cost in Minnesota
At Minnesota billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Minnesota range |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (per visit) | $50–$145 |
| Full yard cleanup | $250–$725 |
| Sod installation | $1,200–$4,800 |
| Mulch installation | $250–$950 |
| Tree / shrub planting | $175–$725 |
| Irrigation system install | $1,800–$6,000 |
| Retaining wall | $2,500–$9,500 |
| Paver patio installation | $3,000–$10,500 |
| Seasonal fertilization | $60–$240 |
| Landscape design & install | $3,500–$14,500 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How landscapers compare to other trades in Minnesota
Here's how landscaper pay lines up against Minnesota's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $31.22/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Handyman | $28.46/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Painter | $27.54/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Landscaper | $22.41/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Cleaner | $19.04/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 Minnesota?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Minnesota contractor & trade licensing to check whether landscapers need a state license in Minnesota, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do landscapers charge per hour in Minnesota?
In 2025, most Minnesota landscapers bill $50–$65 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $22/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average landscaper salary in Minnesota?
The median landscaper in Minnesota earns about $46,610 a year ($22.41/hr). Entry-level landscapers earn around $31,000 and the most experienced earn $61,000 or more.
Do landscapers earn more in Minnesota than nationally?
Yes — Minnesota's median landscaper wage is about 19% above the national median of $18.82/hr, ranking 5th of 51 states.
Which Minnesota city pays landscapers the most?
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI, at a $22.67/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.