If you are looking for a Gardener Salary in the USA, the pay can be different depending on the state, experience, type of garden work, employer and whether the gardener work is private, residential, commercial or part of a landscaping company. A gardener in the United States may earn around $18 an hour on a typical salary estimate, while official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for the closely related landscaping and groundskeeping occupation shows a median wage of $18.82 per hour in May 2025. This means a gardener can make roughly $33,000 to $40,000 a year in many regular jobs, while experienced professional gardeners, private gardeners and workers in higher-paying locations can make more. Gardener salary, gardener hourly pay, gardener annual salary and gardener salary by state are all affected by local demand and the type of work being done.
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Gardener Salary in the USA
A gardener is a person who takes care of plants, flowers, lawns, garden beds, shrubs and other outdoor green areas. The work can be simple garden maintenance or it can include more skilled work like pruning, planting, soil preparation, irrigation checking and plant health care. Because the job title is used in many different ways, the salary also is not one fixed number across the United States.
For a general Gardener job, Salary.com reported an average salary of about $36,897 per year in September 2026, which is around $18 per hour. Its typical 25th to 75th percentile range was about $33,410 to $40,334 per year. These figures are useful for the common search term Gardener Salary, while BLS provides the official occupational wage information under related landscaping and groundskeeping jobs.
The BLS May 2025 data shows a median hourly wage of $18.82 for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers. The wider Grounds Maintenance Workers group had a median of $19.27 per hour. The difference is because grounds maintenance includes several related jobs, including landscaping workers, pesticide applicators and tree trimmers.
How Much Does a Gardener Make in the USA?
How much does a gardener make in the USA is a common question because gardening jobs can be paid hourly, weekly, yearly or sometimes by a private service agreement. A basic gardener who mainly does mowing, weeding, planting and watering can be near the lower part of the pay range. A gardener who knows pruning, landscape plants, irrigation and seasonal garden planning may get better pay.
Official BLS information says grounds maintenance workers generally install and maintain landscapes, prune trees and shrubs, plant vegetation, water lawns and gardens, remove unwanted growth and monitor plant health. The work is mostly outside and can be physical, with bending, kneeling, lifting, digging and shoveling being common.
- Gardener average salary: about $36,897 per year in one current Gardener-specific salary estimate.
- Gardener average hourly pay: around $18 per hour in the same estimate.
- BLS landscaping and groundskeeping median: $18.82 per hour in May 2025.
- BLS grounds maintenance median: $19.27 per hour in May 2025.
- Lower-paid workers: may start around the mid-teens per hour depending on location and employer.
- Experienced workers: can earn more when they handle specialized garden or landscape duties.
Gardener Hourly Pay and Annual Salary
Gardener hourly pay is often more useful than annual salary because many garden maintenance jobs are paid by the hour. Some workers are full time, while others work seasonally or part time. Spring, summer and fall can be the busiest period for planting, mowing, trimming and garden maintenance, while some workers take other outdoor maintenance jobs during winter.
Using an $18 hourly rate as a simple example, a full-time worker working 40 hours a week would have gross pay of around $720 per week before taxes. That is around $3,120 per month when averaged over a year and about $37,440 for 52 weeks. Actual gardener pay can be lower or higher because work hours, overtime, seasonal schedules and hourly rates are not the same for every worker.
| Pay Period | Approximate Pay at $18/Hour |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $18 |
| Daily, 8 hours | $144 |
| Weekly, 40 hours | $720 |
| Monthly average | About $3,120 |
| Annual, 52 weeks | About $37,440 |
This calculation is only a simple example and is not a guaranteed gardener salary. A gardener who works part time, has seasonal gaps or is paid for individual jobs will have a different yearly income.
What Does a Gardener Do?
Gardener work can look different from one property to another. At a home, the gardener may spend most of the day caring for flowers, lawns, shrubs and small trees. At a hotel, apartment community, school, park or business property, the work can be more regular and may involve larger outdoor areas.
The main duties can include planting flowers and trees, preparing soil, watering plants, removing weeds, adding mulch, trimming shrubs, pruning plants, cleaning garden areas and checking plants for damage or disease. Some workers also use lawnmowers, trimmers, shears, spray equipment and other garden tools.
- Plant flowers, trees and shrubs.
- Water lawns, plants and garden beds.
- Remove weeds and unwanted plants.
- Trim hedges and shrubs.
- Prune small trees and plants.
- Prepare and improve garden soil.
- Spread mulch and fertilizer.
- Clean leaves and garden waste.
- Watch plants for pests or health problems.
- Maintain outdoor areas so they look clean and healthy.
Gardener Salary by Experience
Experience can make a real difference in gardener pay. Someone starting in the job may mainly perform basic maintenance under a supervisor. After gaining experience, the worker may be trusted with plant selection, pruning, irrigation work, seasonal planning and more difficult garden maintenance.
Entry level gardener salary is usually lower than the pay of an experienced professional gardener. Workers who develop horticulture knowledge can also move into landscape maintenance, groundskeeping, garden supervision or other related outdoor jobs.
Entry Level Gardener Salary
An entry level gardener normally performs basic work such as watering, weeding, planting, raking, mowing and cleaning garden areas. Formal education is usually not required for general grounds maintenance jobs, and BLS says these workers are commonly trained on the job.
Starting pay depends strongly on the local labor market. A worker in a lower-cost area may begin with a lower hourly rate, while a gardener working for a private client, resort, large property or landscaping company may have different starting pay.
Experienced Gardener Salary
Experienced gardeners can take on more responsibility and may work with a wider range of plants and equipment. Knowledge of pruning, soil, irrigation, plant diseases and seasonal gardening can make the worker more useful to an employer or private customer.
Some experienced gardeners also become lead workers or move toward landscape supervisor positions. BLS reports that first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service and groundskeeping workers had a mean annual wage of $60,960 in May 2025, although that is a different supervisory occupation and should not be treated as the normal gardener salary.
Professional Gardener Salary
A professional gardener usually has more practical knowledge than someone doing basic garden labor. The title can cover residential gardeners, estate gardeners, private gardeners, garden maintenance workers and workers who specialize in particular plants or properties.
Current salary estimates show that professional and private gardener jobs can pay more than the general Gardener estimate, but the numbers vary by source and job definition. Salary.com, for example, lists a September 2026 average of about $36,897 for Gardener and a higher modeled average for Professional Gardener. These are private salary estimates rather than BLS occupational wage figures, so they should be used as a market reference rather than an official government wage.
Private Gardener Salary
A private gardener may work directly for a homeowner, family, estate, property owner or private organization. The work can involve more personalized garden care and sometimes the gardener is responsible for maintaining the full outdoor appearance of a property.
Private gardener pay can depend on the size of the property, number of plants, working hours, gardening skills and whether the worker is responsible for additional landscape maintenance. In some cases, private gardeners may also receive benefits, housing arrangements or other compensation, but these are not standard for every job.
Gardener Salary by State
Gardener salary by state can be quite different across the United States. Location is one of the biggest things that can change gardener pay because labor demand, cost of living, climate, size of landscaping industry and type of property are different from one state to another. Current Gardener-specific salary estimates from Salary.com show an estimated U.S. average of $36,897 per year, with state estimates ranging from around the low $32,000s to more than $40,000 in some locations.
The table below gives a state-by-state reference for gardener salary. These figures are current modeled Gardener salary estimates and should not be confused with the official BLS wage for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers. BLS uses a different occupational classification and reported a national median of $18.82 per hour for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in May 2025.
Gardener Salary by State in the USA
| State / Region | Estimated Annual Gardener Salary | Approx. Hourly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $33,897 | $16.30 |
| Alaska | $39,941 | $19.20 |
| Arizona | $35,952 | $17.28 |
| Arkansas | $33,332 | $16.03 |
| California | $40,697 | $19.57 |
| Colorado | $37,646 | $18.10 |
| Connecticut | $39,432 | $18.96 |
| Delaware | $37,365 | $17.96 |
| Florida | $34,912 | $16.78 |
| Georgia | $35,587 | $17.11 |
| Hawaii | $38,564 | $18.54 |
| Idaho | $34,443 | $16.56 |
| Illinois | $37,609 | $18.08 |
| Indiana | $35,417 | $17.03 |
| Iowa | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Kansas | $35,133 | $16.89 |
| Kentucky | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Louisiana | $35,081 | $16.87 |
| Maine | $35,974 | $17.30 |
| Maryland | $38,044 | $18.29 |
| Massachusetts | $40,155 | $19.31 |
| Michigan | $36,336 | $17.47 |
| Minnesota | $37,756 | $18.15 |
| Mississippi | $32,904 | $15.82 |
| Missouri | $35,056 | $16.85 |
| Montana | $34,834 | $16.75 |
| Nebraska | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Nevada | $36,517 | $17.56 |
| New Hampshire | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| New Jersey | $39,992 | $19.23 |
| New Mexico | $34,174 | $16.43 |
| New York | $39,225 | $18.86 |
| North Carolina | $35,063 | $16.86 |
| North Dakota | $36,447 | $17.52 |
| Ohio | $35,926 | $17.27 |
| Oklahoma | $34,115 | $16.40 |
| Oregon | $37,469 | $18.01 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,731 | $17.66 |
| Rhode Island | $38,254 | $18.39 |
| South Carolina | $34,572 | $16.62 |
| South Dakota | $33,532 | $16.12 |
| Tennessee | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| Texas | $35,989 | $17.30 |
| Utah | $35,332 | $16.99 |
| Vermont | $36,214 | $17.41 |
| Virginia | $37,155 | $17.86 |
| Washington | $40,007 | $19.23 |
| West Virginia | $33,225 | $15.97 |
| Wisconsin | $36,295 | $17.45 |
| Wyoming | $35,384 | $17.01 |
| District of Columbia | $40,852 | $19.64 |
These state figures are salary estimates rather than guaranteed wages. Salary.com lists District of Columbia, California, Massachusetts, Washington and New Jersey among the locations with higher modeled Gardener salaries, while Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas and some other states appear lower in the same dataset. The actual offer for a gardener can still be different depending on experience, employer, hours and exact city.
Gardener Salary by Region in the USA
Looking at the United States by region can make the salary differences easier to understand. A gardener working in a major metropolitan area may have different earning opportunities than someone working in a small rural community. Climate also matters because some southern and western states have a longer outdoor gardening season, while colder states can have a shorter season.
| U.S. Region | States Included | General Gardener Pay Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA | Often higher pay in major metro and high-cost areas |
| Midwest | OH, IN, IL, MI, WI, IA, MN, KS, NE, SD, ND, MO | Generally moderate pay with seasonal work in many areas |
| South | DE, MD, DC, VA, WV, KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, AR, LA, OK, TX | Large landscaping market and longer gardening season in many states |
| West | MT, ID, WY, CO, NM, AZ, UT, NV, WA, OR, CA, AK, HI | Wide salary variation, with higher modeled pay in several western states |
How Much Does a Gardener Make an Hour?
How much a gardener makes an hour depends on the job and location. A current Gardener salary estimate puts the national average around $18 per hour. The same source gives a 25th percentile around $16 per hour and a 75th percentile around $19 per hour. This is a useful reference for people searching for gardener hourly pay, but individual employers can offer a different rate.
The official BLS data gives a slightly different picture because it measures the broader landscaping and groundskeeping occupation. In May 2025, the median hourly wage was $18.82, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $15.01 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $28.10 per hour. This shows why an experienced worker with specialized duties may earn substantially more than a basic entry-level garden worker.
How Much Does a Gardener Make a Year?
A common search is how much does a gardener make a year. Using the current Gardener-specific estimate, the average is about $36,897 annually. Salary.com gives a 10th percentile of about $30,236 and a 90th percentile of about $43,463. The middle 25th to 75th percentile range is approximately $33,410 to $40,334.
For comparison, BLS reported a median annual wage of $42,290 for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in May 2025 when the hourly median of $18.82 is converted to a full-time annual figure. This difference does not mean one source is wrong. The two figures measure different things: one is a current Gardener-specific salary model and the other is an official federal occupation classification.
Gardener Salary for Entry Level Workers
People entering gardening usually do not need a college degree. BLS says grounds maintenance workers typically learn through on-the-job training, although some specialized pesticide and fertilizer work may require state licensing.
An entry level gardener may begin with basic work such as mowing, raking, watering, weeding, planting and cleaning. The starting salary can increase when the worker learns equipment operation, plant identification, pruning, irrigation and other useful skills.
- Basic lawn and garden maintenance.
- Planting flowers and shrubs.
- Weeding and garden cleanup.
- Watering and basic irrigation tasks.
- Leaf removal and seasonal cleanup.
- Using hand and power garden tools.
- Learning plant care from experienced workers.
What Affects Gardener Salary?
Gardener salary is not based on experience alone. Two gardeners doing similar work can receive different pay because they work in different states, cities or industries. Private estate work, commercial landscaping, hotels, golf courses, apartment communities and public parks can all have different pay structures.
- Location: wages can be higher in some high-cost metropolitan markets.
- Experience: experienced gardeners can handle more complex garden work.
- Employer: private employers and landscaping companies may use different pay systems.
- Skills: pruning, irrigation, plant care and equipment operation can add value.
- Season: outdoor gardening work can be seasonal in colder parts of the country.
- Property size: large estates, resorts and commercial properties may require more responsibility.
- Specialization: horticulture knowledge or specialized plant-care skills can open different jobs.
Gardener Salary in Different Types of Jobs
The word gardener can mean different types of outdoor jobs in the USA. Some gardeners work mainly in residential gardens, while others work for landscaping companies, hotels, parks, apartment communities, golf courses or large private properties. Because of this, the salary can change depending on what the gardener actually does during the workday.
Residential Gardener Salary
A residential gardener takes care of private homes and small properties. The work can include mowing, planting, pruning, watering, weeding, seasonal cleanup and general garden maintenance. Some residential gardeners are employed by a landscaping company and visit many homes, while others work directly for one homeowner.
Residential gardener pay is often hourly, but experienced workers who manage several properties may charge by the job or have a regular monthly arrangement. The amount earned depends on the number of properties, services provided and local demand.
Landscape Gardener Salary
A landscape gardener normally does more than simple gardening. The work may include maintaining lawns, flower beds, shrubs, trees and landscaped outdoor spaces. Some workers also install plants and help with landscape projects.
Landscape gardener salary is closely related to the broader landscaping and groundskeeping occupation reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In May 2025, the median hourly wage for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers was $18.82.
Hotel and Resort Gardener Salary
Hotels and resorts can employ gardeners to keep outdoor areas attractive for guests. Workers may maintain lawns, flower gardens, decorative plants, pathways and other landscaped areas. Large resorts can have bigger grounds and more specialized gardening work.
Pay in these jobs can depend on the size of the property, location, employer and whether the position is seasonal or year-round. Some hotel and resort jobs can also include employee benefits in addition to wages.
Public Garden and Park Gardener Salary
Gardeners can also work for local governments, parks, botanical gardens and other public organizations. These workers may maintain public gardens, flower beds, trees, lawns and recreational areas.
Government employment can have a different pay structure from private landscaping companies. Benefits, work schedules and employment rules may also be different, so the total compensation should be considered along with the hourly or annual salary.
Gardener Salary and Benefits
Not every gardener receives the same benefits. Part-time and seasonal workers may receive fewer benefits than full-time employees. A full-time gardener working for a landscaping company, government organization, hotel or large property may receive a broader benefits package.
- Paid vacation or paid time off.
- Paid holidays in some full-time positions.
- Health insurance depending on the employer.
- Retirement plan or retirement contributions.
- Workers' compensation coverage.
- Paid training for certain equipment or job skills.
- Overtime pay when eligible and when overtime is available.
- Uniforms or work equipment in some jobs.
Benefits are employer specific and should not be added to the salary figure unless the employer actually provides them. A gardener with a slightly lower hourly wage but good health insurance and paid time off may have a different total compensation package than an hourly worker with no benefits.
Do Gardeners Get Paid More With Experience?
Experience can help gardeners earn more, but there is no automatic salary increase just because someone has worked for a certain number of years. Employers generally pay more when a worker can take responsibility for difficult tasks and work with less supervision.
A new gardener may need instructions for planting, pruning and equipment use. An experienced gardener may know which plants work in different conditions, when to prune, how much to water and how to identify common plant problems. These practical skills can make the worker more valuable.
- Plant identification and horticulture knowledge.
- Professional pruning skills.
- Irrigation and watering knowledge.
- Soil preparation and plant nutrition.
- Safe use of landscaping equipment.
- Pest and plant problem identification.
- Seasonal garden planning.
- Ability to supervise other garden workers.
Gardener Career Path
Gardening can be an entry point into several landscaping and grounds maintenance careers. Someone can start as a general laborer or entry-level gardener and gradually learn more technical skills. With enough experience, a worker may move into a lead gardener, landscape technician, grounds supervisor or other related position.
Some gardeners also choose horticulture education or specialized training. This can help when applying for jobs that require more plant knowledge. Workers who want to apply pesticides or perform certain regulated tasks may need a state license depending on the work and state requirements.
Common Career Progression
- Entry-Level Gardener
- Gardener or Grounds Maintenance Worker
- Experienced Gardener
- Lead Gardener
- Landscape or Grounds Technician
- Landscape Supervisor
- Landscape Manager
Gardener Jobs Without a College Degree
One reason people search for gardener jobs is that many basic grounds maintenance positions do not require a college degree. BLS says grounds maintenance workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent in some jobs, while many workers learn their skills on the job. Requirements can be different between employers.
This makes gardening and grounds maintenance an option for people who prefer outdoor physical work rather than an office job. However, the work can be demanding because workers may spend many hours standing, walking, bending, lifting and working in hot or cold weather.
Gardener Salary for Self-Employed Gardeners
A self-employed gardener does not have the same salary structure as an employee. Instead of receiving a fixed hourly wage from one employer, the gardener can charge customers for individual services, recurring maintenance or complete garden projects.
A self-employed gardener may charge by the hour, by the visit, by the garden or through a monthly maintenance agreement. The amount collected from customers is not the same as personal income because the business may have expenses for transportation, fuel, tools, insurance, equipment, advertising and supplies.
- Garden maintenance services.
- Weeding and planting.
- Pruning and hedge trimming.
- Lawn and yard maintenance.
- Seasonal garden cleanup.
- Mulching and soil preparation.
- Small landscape maintenance projects.
- Regular weekly or monthly garden service.
Gardener Salary Compared With Landscaping Jobs
Gardener and landscaping jobs overlap a lot, but they are not always the same job. A gardener may spend more time working with plants, flowers, soil and garden beds. A landscaping worker may perform broader outdoor maintenance, including lawns, trees, shrubs and landscape installation.
| Job | Main Work | Pay Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Gardener | Plants, gardens and general garden maintenance | Varies by employer and location |
| Landscaping Worker | Lawns, plants, shrubs and landscape maintenance | Official BLS occupation with $18.82 median hourly wage in May 2025 |
| Grounds Maintenance Worker | Maintenance of outdoor grounds and properties | Broader occupation with $19.27 median hourly wage in May 2025 |
| Landscape Supervisor | Supervises landscaping and groundskeeping workers | Generally higher responsibility and pay |
Gardener Job Outlook in the USA
The job outlook for gardeners is connected closely with landscaping and grounds maintenance. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for grounds maintenance workers to grow about 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, which is faster than the average for all occupations. BLS also expects many job openings each year because workers leave the occupation or retire and need to be replaced.
Demand comes from homeowners, businesses, apartment communities, hotels, schools, parks, government properties and other organizations that need outdoor areas maintained. Landscaping companies can also provide ongoing work because many customers need regular maintenance instead of only one-time garden services.
Where Do Gardeners Work?
Gardeners can work in many different environments. The workplace can have a big effect on the daily routine and the type of skills needed.
- Private homes and residential properties.
- Landscaping and lawn-care companies.
- Hotels and resorts.
- Apartment and condominium communities.
- Golf courses and recreational facilities.
- Schools and universities.
- Public parks and gardens.
- Botanical gardens.
- Commercial properties.
- Large private estates.
Is Gardening a Good Paying Job?
Gardening can provide a steady income for people who like outdoor work and are willing to build practical skills. The pay is usually different from highly specialized professional occupations, but there are opportunities to increase earnings through experience, specialized garden care, private clients, supervisory work and related landscaping skills.
The most important thing is to compare the complete job offer instead of only looking at the hourly number. Work hours, seasonality, benefits, overtime, travel time and physical demands can all affect the real value of a gardening job.
Final Gardener Salary Overview
So, how much does a gardener make in the USA? A current Gardener-specific salary estimate places the average around $36,897 per year, or about $18 per hour. The actual salary can be lower or higher depending on state, city, experience, employer and the type of gardening work.
For official federal wage information, the closest major BLS occupation is Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, which had a median wage of $18.82 per hour in May 2025. This gives a useful benchmark for people researching gardener pay, while private Gardener salary estimates help answer the more specific search query.
Gardener salary by state also shows why location matters. Higher-cost states and major metropolitan areas can have higher wages, while some lower-cost areas have lower hourly pay. Experience, horticulture knowledge, specialized skills and responsibility can also help a gardener move into better-paying positions.
For someone starting this career, gardening can be a practical entry-level outdoor job with relatively low formal education requirements. With experience, a gardener can continue in garden maintenance or move toward landscaping, horticulture, supervision and other grounds-related careers.