BLS wage data says landscapers in California earn $25.32/hr. That's 35.9% above the national average. Here's what that means for your bids.
BLS Hourly Wage
$25.32
Customer Rate
$54–$73/hr
Markup Factor
2.5x
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2023. Customer rate = wage × markup.
California
National Avg
California runs noticeably above the national average. Higher cost of living pushes wages up, and your bids should reflect that. Underbidding here means underpaying yourself.
| Service | California Price Range |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing (average lot, weekly) | $54–$109 |
| Seasonal cleanup (spring/fall) | $204–$544 |
| Mulching (per cubic yard installed) | $82–$163 |
| Shrub trimming and pruning | $68–$204 |
| Sod installation (per 1,000 sq ft) | $544–$1223 |
| Flower bed design and planting | $408–$2038 |
| Retaining wall (per linear ft) | $34–$102 |
| Irrigation system install | $3397–$6795 |
| Full landscape design-build | $4077–$20385 |
Prices adjusted from national averages using California BLS wage data. Your local market may vary.
Pre-loaded with California rates. Enter your job's square footage and type to get a starting price.
Estimated per-job price for California (—–—/hr effective rate)
Based on BLS wage data for California (CA). Rates reflect state-level labor costs.
Based on BLS wage data, landscapers in California typically charge between $54 and $73 per hour. The actual rate depends on the job type, scope, and whether materials are included.
Landscaping labor costs in California are 35.9% above the national average. The BLS-reported hourly wage in California is $25.32, compared to $18.63 nationally.
Start with your labor cost ($25.32/hr in California), apply a 2.5x markup to cover overhead, supplies, insurance, and profit. That puts your customer-facing rate around $54–$73/hr. Then adjust for job scope: complex jobs command higher rates.
The biggest factors are metro vs. rural (cities within California can vary 30–40%), job complexity, and recurring vs. one-time work. Recurring contracts cost less per visit because there's no re-quoting or onboarding.
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Looking for national averages? Landscaping Pricing Guide (National) →