Quick answer: The median landscaper in New Mexico earns $18.06/hr — about $37,560 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $49,000+. To hire one, a landscaping business typically bills $40–$55 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit — and more in higher-cost metros like Santa Fe.
Here's the full picture: what landscapers earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how New Mexico compares to other states.
Landscaper income in New Mexico (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for New Mexico's ~5,030 landscaping, and groundskeeping workers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $14.36 | ~$2,489 | ~$29,869 |
| Median (typical) | $18.06 | ~$3,130 | $37,560 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $23.49 | ~$4,072 | ~$48,859 |
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 New Mexico ranks
New Mexico pays landscapers 4% below the national median, ranking 38th of 51 states — in the lower-middle nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $23.46 |
| New Mexico (38th) | $18.06 |
| National median | $18.82 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $15.21 |
Landscaper rates by New Mexico metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median landscaper wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | $20.78/hr | $45–$60/hr |
| Albuquerque | $18.15/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $17.94/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Farmington | $17.85/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Las Cruces | $17.72/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $17.19/hr | $40–$50/hr |
Santa Fe is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for landscapers, reflecting local demand and cost of living.
What common landscaping jobs cost in New Mexico
At New Mexico billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical New Mexico range |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (per visit) | $40–$115 |
| Full yard cleanup | $200–$575 |
| Sod installation | $1,000–$3,800 |
| Mulch installation | $200–$775 |
| Tree / shrub planting | $150–$575 |
| Irrigation system install | $1,400–$4,800 |
| Retaining wall | $2,000–$7,500 |
| Paver patio installation | $2,500–$8,500 |
| Seasonal fertilization | $50–$190 |
| Landscape design & install | $3,000–$11,500 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How landscapers compare to other trades in New Mexico
Here's how landscaper pay lines up against New Mexico's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $28.71/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Painter | $22.23/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Handyman | $22.00/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Landscaper | $18.06/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Cleaner | $17.32/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 New Mexico?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See New Mexico contractor & trade licensing to check whether landscapers need a state license in New Mexico, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do landscapers make in New Mexico?
The median landscaper in New Mexico earns about $37,560 a year ($18.06/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level landscapers earn around $30,000 and the most experienced earn $49,000 or more.
Can a landscaper make $100,000 a year in New Mexico?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of landscapers in New Mexico earn about $49,000 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 New Mexico?
In 2025, most New Mexico 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 New Mexico than nationally?
New Mexico's median landscaper wage is about 4% below the national median of $18.82/hr, ranking 38th of 51 states.
Which New Mexico city pays landscapers the most?
Santa Fe, at a $20.78/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.