Lawn Care Worker Salary in the USA

If you are looking for a lawn care worker salary in the USA, the pay can be different depending on the state, experience, type of lawn care work and the company hiring you. A lawn care worker usually takes care of grass, yards, gardens and outdoor property by mowing lawns, trimming edges, removing leaves, planting, watering, fertilizing and doing other basic landscape maintenance work. The closest official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupation is Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, which had a median annual wage of about $39,150 and a median hourly wage of $18.82 in May 2025. The lower 10 percent earned about $31,150 or less, while the top 10 percent earned more than $56,730. A separate broader Grounds Maintenance Workers category had a $40,080 median annual wage and $19.27 median hourly wage. So when people search for lawn care worker salary, lawn care worker hourly pay, lawn maintenance worker salary or how much does a lawn care worker make, the actual pay can move quite a lot from one job and location to another.

A lawn care worker salary in the United States is often paid by the hour, especially for entry-level and seasonal jobs. Many workers start with basic lawn mowing, trimming, raking and clean-up work and can later take on more skilled tasks such as fertilizer application, irrigation work, landscape maintenance or equipment operation. According to May 2025 BLS data for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, the national median pay was $18.82 per hour, or about $39,150 per year when converted to a full-time annual wage. The mean wage was higher at about $42,290 per year, showing that average and median pay are not the same thing.

For a person just starting in lawn care, actual pay may be closer to the lower part of the wage range. Experience, ability to operate commercial lawn equipment, driving responsibilities, customer service, pesticide or fertilizer duties and crew-lead responsibilities can all affect the paycheck. Some lawn care jobs are also seasonal because mowing and landscape work become much busier during spring, summer and fall. BLS says grounds maintenance work is commonly performed outdoors in different weather conditions and can be physically demanding, with frequent bending, kneeling, lifting and shoveling.

How Much Does a Lawn Care Worker Make?

How much a lawn care worker makes depends on what type of work the employee actually does. A basic lawn maintenance worker may mainly mow grass, trim around sidewalks and buildings, blow grass clippings and remove leaves. Another worker may be responsible for larger commercial properties and operate riding mowers, trimmers, blowers and other power equipment. Workers with additional responsibilities may receive higher wages than someone doing only basic lawn maintenance.

• The national median for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers was about $39,150 per year in May 2025.
• The median hourly wage was about $18.82 per hour.
• The lower 10 percent earned about $31,150 or less annually.
• The 25th percentile was about $36,190 per year.
• The 75th percentile was about $46,830 per year.
• The top 10 percent earned more than about $56,730 per year.

These figures are useful for understanding lawn care worker wages, but they should not be treated as a guaranteed salary for every individual job. BLS occupational data covers Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers rather than every job posting that uses the exact title “Lawn Care Worker.” Also, BLS wage estimates generally exclude self-employed workers, which matters because some people operate their own small lawn care business rather than working as employees.

Lawn Care Worker Hourly Pay

Lawn care worker hourly pay is one of the easiest ways to understand this job because many companies pay workers on an hourly basis. The May 2025 median hourly wage for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers was $18.82. At a simple 40-hour workweek, that is around $753 per week before taxes, although actual weekly earnings can be different because of overtime, seasonal schedules, part-time work and unpaid time between jobs.

The hourly wage can also change when a worker moves from basic maintenance into more skilled landscape work. Someone who can safely use commercial equipment, maintain irrigation systems, handle fertilizer or pesticide-related duties where legally permitted, communicate with customers and supervise other workers may have different earning opportunities than an entry-level lawn worker.

Lawn Care Worker Salary by State

Lawn care worker salary by state can be quite different across the United States. For this article, the state figures below use the May 2025 BLS OEWS estimates for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, SOC 37-3011, because this is the closest detailed BLS occupation for regular lawn care and groundskeeping work. The table uses the median annual wage and median hourly wage. These figures are not a ranking of jobs; they are simply a state-by-state view of reported wages.

The May 2025 state data shows that reported median wages vary from state to state. For example, California had about 106,180 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers in the BLS estimate, while Florida had about 86,040 and Texas about 63,430. This shows that large lawn care and landscaping labor markets exist in several parts of the country, but wage levels are not the same everywhere.

It is also important to remember that salary alone does not tell the full story of a lawn care job. Local living costs, working hours, weather, seasonal demand, commuting, benefits and whether the worker is employed by a large landscaping company or a small local business can all change the real value of the job.

Lawn Care Worker Salary by Experience

Lawn care worker salary can change with experience. A person who is new in this work usually starts with simple lawn maintenance duties and learn the equipment and work process on the job. An experienced lawn care worker may handle bigger properties, more expensive equipment, customer requests and sometimes other workers. This can bring better pay as the worker becomes more useful to the company.

Entry-level lawn care workers can commonly start around the lower part of the local wage range. The exact starting pay is different from company to company and also depends on the state. Some workers may start as seasonal helpers, while others can get a regular full-time position with a landscaping or grounds maintenance company.

• Entry-level lawn care worker: Usually performs mowing, trimming, raking, blowing and basic clean-up work.
• Experienced lawn care worker: Can operate different commercial equipment and handle regular property maintenance with less supervision.
• Senior lawn care worker: May take responsibility for difficult properties, equipment, customer requests and more detailed landscape maintenance.
• Crew leader: May organize daily work, check completed jobs, communicate with customers and guide other lawn care workers.
• Lawn care or landscape supervisor: May manage crews, schedules, equipment and multiple customer properties.

There is not one fixed salary increase after a certain number of years. A worker can improve earning potential faster by learning additional skills rather than only staying in the same basic mowing position.

Entry Level Lawn Care Worker Salary

An entry level lawn care worker salary is usually lower than the pay of an experienced worker because the new worker normally needs training before handling more equipment and responsibilities. Many employers do not require a college degree for basic lawn care jobs. Physical ability, reliability, willingness to work outside and the ability to learn equipment can be more important for getting started.

For a new worker, the first job may include mowing lawns, trimming grass around trees and buildings, collecting leaves, removing branches, cleaning equipment and helping an experienced landscaping crew. Over time, the worker can learn fertilizer application, irrigation maintenance, landscape installation and other services.

People searching for “how much does a lawn care worker make” should also remember that seasonal work can affect annual income. A worker may receive a good hourly rate but work fewer hours during the winter in colder parts of the United States. In warmer states, lawn maintenance can continue for a longer part of the year.

How Much Do Lawn Care Workers Make Per Hour?

How much lawn care workers make per hour depends on location, employer, experience and the type of work. The May 2025 median hourly wage for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers was $18.82. That gives a useful national reference point for a regular lawn care worker, but individual job offers can be below or above this number.

Hourly pay can also become different when the job includes responsibilities outside simple mowing. For example, a worker who drives a company truck, operates riding mowers, uses commercial landscaping equipment, handles irrigation repairs or leads a small crew may have a different pay rate.

• Basic lawn mowing and maintenance can be paid at an entry-level hourly rate.
• Commercial property maintenance can require more equipment and responsibility.
• Workers with several years of experience may receive higher hourly wages.
• Crew leaders can earn more because they help manage daily work.
• Overtime can increase weekly earnings when eligible and when extra hours are available.
• Seasonal demand can increase available working hours during busy months.

Lawn Care Worker Job Duties

A lawn care worker does much more than only cutting grass. The daily duties depend on whether the worker is taking care of residential lawns, apartment communities, business properties, parks or other outdoor areas. Some jobs are focused mostly on grass maintenance while other positions include general landscaping and groundskeeping.

• Mowing lawns using push mowers or riding lawn mowers.
• Trimming grass around sidewalks, trees, fences and buildings.
• Using string trimmers, leaf blowers and other powered equipment.
• Raking leaves, grass and other outdoor debris.
• Watering plants, grass and landscape areas.
• Planting flowers, shrubs, trees and other landscape materials.
• Spreading mulch and other landscape materials.
• Helping with fertilizing and lawn treatment work where required.
• Cleaning and maintaining lawn care equipment.
• Loading and unloading equipment and materials from company vehicles.
• Keeping residential and commercial outdoor areas looking maintained.
• Reporting damaged equipment, irrigation problems or property issues.

Lawn Maintenance Worker Salary

Lawn maintenance worker salary is closely related to the type of maintenance being performed. Basic maintenance jobs can involve repetitive mowing and trimming, while broader landscape maintenance can include planting, pruning, irrigation and other work. This is why two workers with the same job title can have different wages.

Residential lawn care companies may send workers from one property to another during the day. Commercial lawn maintenance workers may spend more time at apartment complexes, office buildings, shopping areas, schools or other larger properties. The work environment and equipment used can be different in each case.

The national BLS data for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers provides a useful salary reference, but a local job advertisement is still important when someone is checking current lawn maintenance worker salary offers in a particular city.

Lawn Care Technician Salary

A lawn care technician can have a wider range of duties than a basic lawn care worker. Depending on the employer, the technician may inspect lawns, apply treatments, manage weeds, work with irrigation systems or provide other specialized lawn services. Some jobs also require specific state licenses or certifications when chemicals or pesticides are involved.

Because “lawn care technician” is used by companies in different ways, there is no single national BLS wage category that exactly matches every technician job. Some technician positions may be closer to Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers, while specialized positions can involve additional training and responsibilities.

A worker who wants to move into technician work can improve their opportunities by learning lawn diseases, weed identification, irrigation basics, safe equipment operation and customer communication. Required licensing should always be checked with the state and employer before performing regulated pesticide or chemical work.

What Skills Does a Lawn Care Worker Need?

Basic lawn care work does not normally require a four-year college degree, but workers need practical skills. The job can look simple from outside but commercial lawn equipment can be heavy, loud and dangerous if it is not used correctly. Good workers need to follow safety instructions and take care of equipment.

• Equipment operation: Ability to safely use mowers, trimmers, blowers and other equipment.
• Physical fitness: The job can require standing, walking, bending, lifting and working for long periods.
• Attention to detail: A property needs even mowing, clean edges and proper finishing.
• Time management: Lawn crews may have several properties to complete in one day.
• Basic plant knowledge: Understanding grass, plants, weeds and common landscape problems can help.
• Communication: Workers may need to speak with supervisors, customers and other crew members.
• Driving: Some jobs require workers to travel between properties in a company vehicle.
• Safety awareness: Workers need to follow equipment, traffic, chemical and workplace safety rules.

Education and Training for Lawn Care Workers

Many basic lawn care positions can be entered without a college degree. Workers often learn through short-term on-the-job training. New employees may start by working with an experienced crew member and gradually learn how to operate different machines and complete different maintenance tasks.

High school education can be useful, especially when the job involves reading instructions, communicating with customers or moving toward a supervisor position. Technical education in horticulture, landscaping or related subjects can also be useful for workers who want to move beyond basic lawn mowing.

Training requirements become more important when a job involves pesticides, fertilizers or other regulated products. Requirements are different by state, so workers should check the applicable state licensing rules before performing regulated applications.

Lawn Care Worker Benefits

Benefits for lawn care workers depend heavily on the employer. A small local lawn company may mainly offer hourly wages, while a larger landscaping company, government employer or commercial grounds maintenance company may offer a wider benefits package.

• Health insurance may be available with larger employers.
• Paid vacation or paid time off may be offered to full-time workers.
• Some employers provide retirement plans.
• Workers may receive paid training or equipment training.
• Some companies provide uniforms and safety equipment.
• Company vehicles may be available for workers who travel between properties.
• Overtime opportunities may be available during busy periods.
• Experienced workers may have opportunities for crew leader or supervisor positions.

Is Lawn Care a Good Job?

Lawn care can be a practical job for people who prefer outdoor work instead of sitting inside all day. It can also be an entry point into the larger landscaping and grounds maintenance industry without needing a traditional college degree. The work is physical and can involve hot weather, rain, noise, dirt and repetitive tasks, so it is not suitable for everyone.

One important difference from an office job is that lawn care work can be strongly affected by weather and season. Heavy rain, extreme heat or winter conditions can change the daily schedule. In colder states, mowing work may slow down considerably during winter, while warmer states can have a longer lawn maintenance season.

For workers who want to stay in the industry long term, learning more services can create a path toward higher responsibility. A person may start with mowing and trimming and later move into landscape installation, irrigation, specialized lawn treatment, crew leadership or landscape management.

What Affects Lawn Care Worker Income?

Lawn care worker income is not determined only by the job title. Several things can change how much a worker earns during the year. A person making an hourly wage can have a different annual income depending on how many weeks and hours they actually work.

• Location: Wage levels are different from state to state and city to city.
• Experience: Experienced workers can qualify for jobs with more responsibility.
• Work type: Commercial, residential and specialized lawn services can have different pay structures.
• Season: Some areas have much more lawn work during spring and summer.
• Hours: Full-time workers can have higher annual income than part-time workers.
• Overtime: Extra hours can increase earnings for eligible employees.
• Skills: Equipment operation, irrigation and other useful skills can improve job opportunities.
• Employer: A national landscaping company, local business, property management company or government employer may have different wages and benefits.

Lawn Care Jobs Salary and Career Growth

Lawn care jobs salary can start with basic hourly work but there are several possible directions for career growth. A worker who develops equipment skills and understands landscape maintenance can take on more complex jobs. Some experienced workers become crew leaders and later move into supervisor or management positions.

Another path is starting a small lawn care business. Self-employed lawn care operators can charge customers directly for mowing, trimming, clean-up and other services. However, business revenue is not the same as employee salary. An owner has to pay for fuel, equipment, repairs, insurance, transportation, advertising and other operating costs, so gross customer payments should not be confused with personal income.

For someone searching for a stable entry-level outdoor occupation, lawn care can provide a way to gain practical work experience and build skills without a long college program. The earning potential depends on the local market, the type of work and how much responsibility the worker eventually takes on.

Residential Lawn Care Worker Salary

Residential lawn care workers mainly take care of private homes and smaller residential properties. Their regular work can include mowing grass, trimming edges, blowing walkways, removing leaves and keeping the yard looking clean. Some companies also provide seasonal clean-up, planting, mulching and other basic landscape services.

Residential lawn care can be a good starting point because workers can learn the basic equipment and maintenance skills quickly. However, the number of properties handled in one day can be high, especially during the busy season. The worker may also spend a lot of time driving between homes, loading equipment and working outside in changing weather.

• Mowing residential lawns.
• Trimming around sidewalks, fences and trees.
• Cleaning grass clippings from driveways and walkways.
• Leaf removal and seasonal yard clean-up.
• Mulching and basic planting work.
• Basic lawn and landscape maintenance.
• Communicating with homeowners about scheduled services.

Commercial Lawn Care Worker Salary

Commercial lawn care workers maintain larger properties such as office buildings, apartment communities, retail locations, hotels, industrial properties and other business sites. The work can require larger riding mowers, commercial trimmers, blowers and other equipment.

Commercial properties can have more detailed maintenance schedules because the company has to keep the property looking maintained for employees, customers, residents or visitors. A worker may also have to complete work within a specific time window. Because of the equipment and responsibilities involved, some commercial lawn care jobs can offer different pay compared with basic residential mowing jobs.

Workers who become comfortable with commercial equipment and can work independently may have more opportunities to move into senior worker or crew leader positions.

Seasonal Lawn Care Worker Salary

Seasonal work is an important part of lawn care employment in the United States. In northern states, lawn mowing and outdoor maintenance can slow down during the colder months. During spring and summer, companies may need more workers because grass grows quickly and customers want regular maintenance.

This means hourly pay and annual income are two different things. A worker could have a reasonable hourly wage but earn less during a year if the job is seasonal or if there are fewer working hours during part of the year.

• Spring can bring a strong increase in mowing and clean-up work.
• Summer can be one of the busiest periods for regular lawn maintenance.
• Fall can bring leaf removal and seasonal clean-up services.
• Winter can reduce outdoor lawn work in colder regions.
• Warm-weather states may have a longer working season.
• Some workers take other landscaping or grounds jobs during the slower months.

Lawn Care Worker Overtime Pay

Some lawn care workers may have opportunities to work extra hours during busy periods. Whether overtime pay applies depends on the worker's employment status, employer and applicable federal and state wage rules. A busy landscaping company may need additional hours when there are many customer properties to service.

Workers should not calculate their annual salary only by multiplying an hourly wage by 2,080 hours unless they actually work approximately 40 hours every week throughout the year. Seasonal schedules, unpaid time off, weather delays and changes in weekly hours can make the real annual income different.

Lawn Care Worker Salary vs Landscaping Worker Salary

The terms lawn care worker and landscaping worker are sometimes used for similar jobs, but the actual duties can be different. Lawn care usually focuses more on grass and routine maintenance, while landscaping can include designing, installing and changing outdoor spaces.

These titles are not standardized across every employer. One company may call a worker a lawn care technician while another company may use the same title for a person doing more specialized treatment work. For salary research, the actual job duties are often more useful than the title alone.

How to Increase Lawn Care Worker Pay

A lawn care worker who wants to increase pay can focus on skills that allow the company to give them more responsibility. Simply working more years can help, but practical skills can also make a difference.

• Learn to operate commercial riding mowers safely.
• Become comfortable with different types of lawn equipment.
• Learn basic irrigation system maintenance.
• Understand common grass, plant and weed problems.
• Learn safe fertilizer and pesticide procedures where applicable.
• Improve customer communication skills.
• Learn how to inspect properties and identify maintenance problems.
• Take responsibility for equipment care and daily job preparation.
• Work toward crew leader responsibilities.
• Learn basic scheduling and job management.

State licensing should be checked for any regulated pesticide application or other specialized service. A worker should not assume that experience alone gives permission to perform regulated work.

Can a Lawn Care Worker Start a Business?

Yes, some experienced lawn care workers eventually start their own small lawn maintenance business. The basic business model can be simple: find local customers, provide regular mowing and maintenance and charge for each service or through a recurring plan.

However, lawn care business revenue should not be confused with lawn care worker salary. A business owner has operating expenses that an employee may not have. Fuel, mower purchases, repairs, insurance, trailer costs, advertising, business licenses and equipment replacement can take a significant part of the revenue.

• Residential mowing contracts.
• Commercial property maintenance.
• Leaf and seasonal clean-up.
• Mulching and basic landscape services.
• Shrub and plant maintenance.
• Snow-related services in some colder regions.
• Other outdoor property maintenance services.

A small lawn care business can also grow by adding employees and taking larger commercial contracts. At that point, the owner spends more time on scheduling, customers, equipment and business management instead of doing every lawn personally.

Lawn Care Worker Jobs in the USA

Lawn care worker jobs are available in many parts of the United States because homes, businesses, apartment communities, parks and other properties need regular outdoor maintenance. Jobs can be found with landscaping companies, lawn maintenance companies, property management businesses, golf facilities, municipalities, schools and other organizations.

Job availability is affected by the local climate and property market. States with long growing seasons can have lawn maintenance work for more months of the year, while colder areas may have a shorter mowing season. Large metropolitan areas can also have substantial demand because of the number of residential and commercial properties that require maintenance.

When searching for jobs, workers can use terms such as lawn care worker, lawn maintenance worker, landscaping worker, grounds maintenance worker, landscape laborer and lawn care technician. Looking at the actual duties and hourly wage is important because similar job titles can describe different work.

Lawn Care Worker Career Path

Lawn care can be the beginning of a longer career in landscaping and grounds management. A new worker does not necessarily need to stay in basic mowing work permanently. With experience, training and additional responsibilities, there can be opportunities to move into more specialized or supervisory positions.

A common career path can look like basic lawn care worker, experienced landscaping worker, crew leader, supervisor and eventually landscape manager or business owner. The exact path depends on the employer and the worker's skills.

• Step 1: Start with basic lawn mowing and grounds maintenance.
• Step 2: Learn commercial equipment and broader landscape tasks.
• Step 3: Take responsibility for more difficult properties.
• Step 4: Move into crew leader responsibilities.
• Step 5: Learn scheduling, customer service and team management.
• Step 6: Move toward supervisor or landscape management positions.
• Step 7: Consider operating an independent lawn care business.

Lawn Care Worker Income by Job Type

Lawn care worker income can look different depending on whether the person works for a residential lawn company, commercial landscaping company, property management business or independently. An employee normally receives an hourly wage or salary, while an independent operator receives customer payments and then pays business expenses.

Is Lawn Care Worker Salary Enough to Make a Living?

Whether a lawn care worker salary is enough to make a living depends on the worker's location, household expenses, working hours and benefits. A wage that works for one city may feel very different in another city where housing and transportation costs are higher.

The BLS median wage gives a national reference, but workers should compare local job offers with local living expenses. It is also useful to check whether the position is full-time, seasonal or part-time and whether the employer provides health insurance, paid time off or retirement benefits.

For someone starting their working career, lawn care can offer a relatively accessible way to enter outdoor maintenance work. For someone with several years of experience, learning additional skills and taking on more responsibility can provide opportunities to move beyond basic mowing work.

Final Thoughts on Lawn Care Worker Salary

Lawn care worker salary in the USA is influenced by location, experience, job duties, season, employer and skill level. The May 2025 BLS data for Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers gives a national median wage of about $18.82 per hour or $39,150 per year. Individual lawn care workers can earn less or more than this depending on their job and local market.

The job can be a good entry point into landscaping and grounds maintenance because many basic positions do not require a four-year college degree. Workers can learn through practical experience and on-the-job training, then build skills in commercial equipment, irrigation, landscape maintenance, customer service and crew leadership.

For people searching for lawn care worker salary, lawn care worker hourly pay, lawn maintenance worker salary, landscaping worker salary or how much do lawn care workers make, the most important thing is to look beyond one national number. State and local wages, hours worked, seasonal conditions and benefits can make the actual yearly income very different from one worker to another.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Occupational Outlook Handbook, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers / Grounds Maintenance Workers, with May 2025 wage information.