Quick answer: The median landscaper in South Dakota earns $17.01/hr — about $35,370 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $47,000+. To hire one, a landscaping business typically bills $35–$50 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 South Dakota compares to other states.
Landscaper income in South Dakota (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for South Dakota's ~2,980 landscaping, and groundskeeping workers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $13.99 | ~$2,425 | ~$29,099 |
| Median (typical) | $17.01 | ~$2,948 | $35,370 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $22.45 | ~$3,891 | ~$46,696 |
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) | ~$17/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $35–$50/hr |
Where South Dakota ranks
South Dakota pays landscapers 10% below the national median, ranking 48th of 51 states — among the lowest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $23.46 |
| South Dakota (48th) | $17.01 |
| National median | $18.82 |
| Lowest — Mississippi | $15.21 |
Landscaper rates by South Dakota metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median landscaper wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $17.98/hr | $40–$55/hr |
| Rapid City | $16.75/hr | $35–$50/hr |
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $16.13/hr | $35–$50/hr |
| West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $15.70/hr | $35–$45/hr |
What common landscaping jobs cost in South Dakota
At South Dakota billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical South Dakota range |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (per visit) | $35–$110 |
| Full yard cleanup | $175–$550 |
| Sod installation | $900–$3,600 |
| Mulch installation | $175–$725 |
| Tree / shrub planting | $125–$550 |
| Irrigation system install | $1,400–$4,500 |
| Retaining wall | $2,000–$7,000 |
| Paver patio installation | $2,500–$8,000 |
| Seasonal fertilization | $45–$180 |
| Landscape design & install | $2,500–$11,000 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How landscapers compare to other trades in South Dakota
Here's how landscaper pay lines up against South Dakota's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Painter | $23.15/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Carpenter | $23.14/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Handyman | $23.13/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Cleaner | $17.06/hr | $40–$50/hr |
| Landscaper | $17.01/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 South Dakota?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See South Dakota contractor & trade licensing to check whether landscapers need a state license in South Dakota, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do landscapers make in South Dakota?
The median landscaper in South Dakota earns about $35,370 a year ($17.01/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level landscapers earn around $29,000 and the most experienced earn $47,000 or more.
Can a landscaper make $100,000 a year in South Dakota?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of landscapers in South Dakota earn about $47,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own landscaping business and billing $35–$50/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do landscapers charge per hour in South Dakota?
In 2025, most South Dakota landscapers bill $35–$50 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $17/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do landscapers earn more in South Dakota than nationally?
South Dakota's median landscaper wage is about 10% below the national median of $18.82/hr, ranking 48th of 51 states.
Which South Dakota city pays landscapers the most?
Sioux Falls, SD-MN, at a $17.98/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.