How Much Are Landscapers Paid in Australia?
If you’ve ever wondered how much cash a landscaper pulls in across Australia, you’re not alone 🌱💰. Whether you’re thinking about getting into the trade, already laying turf, or just curious where your pay stacks up, let’s break it down.
We dug into national data, cross-checked it with feedback from our Intrade community, and even lined it up with some killer TikTok content we just dropped (see below) 🎥 to make this guide punchy, useful, and real.
🌿 What’s the Average Pay for a Landscaper?
Across Australia, the average hourly rate for a landscaper ranges from:
✅ $25–$35 per hour for junior or apprentice-level roles
✅ $35–$45 per hour for experienced, fully qualified landscapers
✅ $45–$60+ per hour for lead hands, supervisors, or specialist landscapers (think stonework, water features, high-end design)
On a full-time basis, that means:
👉 Entry-level salaries: $50,000–$60,000/year
👉 Experienced salaries: $65,000–$85,000/year
👉 Senior/lead landscapers: $90,000–$120,000/year or more
Of course, there’s a lot of variation depending on:
Where you live (Sydney + Melbourne generally pay higher 💸)
Whether you work for a business or are a subbie on your own ABN
The type of projects you take on (basic yard cleanup vs. high-end residential vs. big commercial landscaping)
🔥 What About Specialist Landscaping?
If you specialise — say, in stone masonry, decking, water features, vertical gardens, or eco-landscaping — you can easily charge premium rates. Many top-end residential landscapers charge $80–$150+ per hour for specialised or boutique projects.
On the flip side, many small-time landscapers struggle because they underquote, over-deliver, or fail to lock in clear contracts and stage payments 😬 (check out our article on how to quote like a pro for help with that!).
📈 Where Do Landscapers Rank Among Other Tradies?
Great question — and this is where it gets fun.
👉 Spoiler: Landscapers tend to sit around the middle of the pack — above some low-paid trades (like apprentice painters) but below high-demand, high-ticket trades (like electricians and plumbers). The national average for a qualified trades person is $83,000 whilst the national average for a qualified landscaper is $65,000, considerably less than the average.
Qualified Landscaper vs National Average
💡 Final Takeaway
👉 Landscaping is a rewarding trade offering solid pay, plenty of variety, and real room to grow 🌿. But like any trade, it’s worth knowing that some other trades command higher rates and stronger market demand — so if maximising income is your goal, it pays to explore where your skills can take you.
