Quick answer: Landscapers in Missouri typically bill $40–$55 per hour (2025). The median landscaper earns $18.52/hr ($38,520/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 Missouri compares to other states.
Landscaper income in Missouri (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Missouri's ~18,310 landscaping, and groundskeeping workers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $14.71 | ~$2,550 | ~$30,597 |
| Median (typical) | $18.52 | ~$3,210 | $38,520 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $24.25 | ~$4,203 | ~$50,440 |
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) | ~$19/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $40–$55/hr |
Where Missouri ranks
Missouri pays landscapers 2% below the national median, ranking 30th of 51 states — right around the national middle:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $23.46 |
| Missouri (30th) | $18.52 |
| National median | $18.82 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $15.21 |
Landscaper rates by Missouri metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median landscaper wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $19.93/hr | $45–$60/hr |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $18.77/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Columbia | $17.82/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Springfield | $17.51/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $17.27/hr | $40–$50/hr |
| Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $17.18/hr | $40–$50/hr |
| Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $17.11/hr | $40–$50/hr |
What common landscaping jobs cost in Missouri
At Missouri billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Missouri range |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (per visit) | $40–$120 |
| Full yard cleanup | $200–$600 |
| Sod installation | $1,000–$3,900 |
| Mulch installation | $200–$775 |
| Tree / shrub planting | $150–$600 |
| 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–$12,000 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How landscapers compare to other trades in Missouri
Here's how landscaper pay lines up against Missouri's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $29.25/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Painter | $27.65/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Handyman | $23.26/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Landscaper | $18.52/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Cleaner | $17.26/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 Missouri?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Missouri contractor & trade licensing to check whether landscapers need a state license in Missouri, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do landscapers charge per hour in Missouri?
In 2025, most Missouri landscapers bill $40–$55 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $19/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average landscaper salary in Missouri?
The median landscaper in Missouri earns about $38,520 a year ($18.52/hr). Entry-level landscapers earn around $31,000 and the most experienced earn $50,000 or more.
Do landscapers earn more in Missouri than nationally?
Missouri's median landscaper wage is about 2% below the national median of $18.82/hr, ranking 30th of 51 states.
Which Missouri city pays landscapers the most?
Kansas City, MO-KS, at a $19.93/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.