Quick answer: Landscapers in North Carolina typically bill $40–$55 per hour (2025). The median landscaper earns $18.22/hr ($37,910/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 North Carolina compares to other states.
Landscaper income in North Carolina (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for North Carolina's ~32,730 landscaping, and groundskeeping workers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $14.70 | ~$2,548 | ~$30,576 |
| Median (typical) | $18.22 | ~$3,159 | $37,910 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $22.83 | ~$3,957 | ~$47,486 |
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 North Carolina ranks
North Carolina pays landscapers 3% below the national median, ranking 37th of 51 states — in the lower-middle nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $23.46 |
| North Carolina (37th) | $18.22 |
| National median | $18.82 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $15.21 |
Landscaper rates by North Carolina metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median landscaper wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $18.57/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $18.56/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Raleigh-Cary | $18.51/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Greensboro-High Point | $18.19/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Winston-Salem | $17.99/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Wilmington | $17.63/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $17.50/hr | $40–$50/hr |
What common landscaping jobs cost in North Carolina
At North Carolina billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical North Carolina 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–$4,800 |
| Retaining wall | $2,000–$7,500 |
| Paver patio installation | $2,500–$8,500 |
| 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 North Carolina
Here's how landscaper pay lines up against North Carolina's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $23.61/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Handyman | $23.03/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Painter | $21.21/hr | $45–$65/hr |
| Landscaper | $18.22/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Cleaner | $16.59/hr | $35–$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 North Carolina?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See North Carolina contractor & trade licensing to check whether landscapers need a state license in North Carolina, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do landscapers charge per hour in North Carolina?
In 2025, most North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
The median landscaper in North Carolina earns about $37,910 a year ($18.22/hr). Entry-level landscapers earn around $31,000 and the most experienced earn $47,000 or more.
Do landscapers earn more in North Carolina than nationally?
North Carolina's median landscaper wage is about 3% below the national median of $18.82/hr, ranking 37th of 51 states.
Which North Carolina city pays landscapers the most?
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, at a $18.57/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.