Hiring guide · Agriculture, Landscaping & Animal Care
How to Hire a Landscaper
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring landscapers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $39,150), recruit through agricultural, horticulture and veterinary technology programs, verify NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for landscapers
There are about 1,188,600 landscapers employed in the U.S., with roughly 149,500 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +4.7% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $31,150–$36,190 | $14.98–$17.40 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $46,830 | $22.51 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $56,730 | $27.27 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- No formal educational credential (typical entry level)
- Mowing and trimming
- Stamina
Nice-to-haves
- NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician
- Pesticide applicator license
- Irrigation Association certification
- Experience with mowers and trimmers
Where to find landscapers
- Agricultural, horticulture and veterinary technology programs
- FFA, 4-H and community college networks
- Seasonal worker programs and labor contractors
- Referrals from current crew members
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Groundskeeper, Lawn Care Technician, Landscape Laborer, Grounds Maintenance Worker
Screening checklist
- Driver’s license and CDL where hauling is required
- Pesticide applicator license or certification where required
- Practical equipment or animal-handling check
- Physical ability to work outdoors and lift as required
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Have you done landscaping?”
What a strong answer includes: Share experience.
2. “What equipment can you run?”
What a strong answer includes: List it.
3. “Can you work in heat?”
What a strong answer includes: Be honest.
4. “Do you have a driver’s license?”
What a strong answer includes: Share status.
5. “How do you stay safe with equipment?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention PPE and guards.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Plant a Shrub (see the steps)
- Mow a Lawn Professionally (see the steps)
- Mulch a Planting Bed (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Edging, Mulch, Sod
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Landscaper 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Landscaper training. Show them the path forward: Landscape Laborer → Landscaper → Crew Leader → Landscaping Supervisor or Owner.
Hiring landscapers: FAQ
How much should I pay a landscaper?
The U.S. median wage for landscapers is $39,150 per year ($18.82/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($36,190), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($46,830). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a landscaper have?
BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education. Look for NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician and Pesticide applicator license where relevant, plus skills such as mowing and trimming, planting, and pruning.
How long does it take to train a new landscaper?
Becoming qualified typically takes 1–4 weeks. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”