How Much Do Lawn Care Businesses Make?
Per-cut pricing, route stacking, equipment payback, and getting through the off-season
By the Monthly Income Booster editorial team · Updated · How we research and fact-check
On this topic
Lawn care is easy to start and easy to underprice. Income comes from how many properties you can cut in a day, which means route planning matters as much as your per-cut price.
What BLS data shows (May 2025)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025 national estimates) puts the median wage for landscaping and groundskeeping workers (SOC 37-3011) at $18.82 an hour, or $39,150 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $14.98 an hour and the top 10% more than $27.28. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers are employees of landscaping firms, property managers and institutions. A lawn care business owner's profit is not measured by OEWS.
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest-paid 10% earn less) | $14.98 | $31,150 |
| Median | $18.82 | $39,150 |
| 90th (top 10% earn more) | $27.28 | $56,730 |
Worked example
The service pricing calculator's starting inputs applied to a three-hour yard job — example figures to change for your mowing route:
| Input or result | Value |
|---|---|
| Hours on the job | 3 |
| Helpers | 0 |
| Hourly you want to clear | $45.00 |
| Supplies for the job | $12.00 |
| Round-trip miles (at $0.70) | 18 |
| Tax set-aside | 25% |
| = Job costs (helpers, supplies, driving) | $24.60 |
| = Price to quote the customer | $212.80 |
| = Your take-home after tax | $135.00 |
| = Real hourly for you | $45.00 |
Stack the Route
Neighbouring properties on the same day let you cut more lawns with less loading and driving. Turning down a distant property is often the more profitable choice.
Price Per Cut, Set a Minimum
A small lawn still costs you the setup, unloading, and travel. A per-visit minimum keeps tiny jobs from dragging your hourly down.
Equipment Payback
A commercial mower, trimmer, blower, and trailer cost real money but halve your time per property. Use the break-even tool to see how many cuts pay for an upgrade.
Recurring Contracts
Weekly or fortnightly agreements for the season give predictable income and stop customers shopping around each month.
High-Margin Add-Ons
Fertiliser programmes, aeration, mulching, hedge trimming, and clean-ups pay much better per hour than mowing and sell to people who already trust you.
Surviving the Off-Season
Leaf clearance, gutter cleaning, snow removal, and holiday light installation keep the same customers and equipment earning through the quiet months.
Next, read How Much Do Pressure Washing Businesses Make?.
Official sources
Tax rules, limits and pay data change. Check the current figures with the primary source before acting on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge to mow a lawn?+
Base it on the time the property takes plus travel, with a per-visit minimum. Compare against local rates before setting it.
How many lawns can I mow in a day?+
Depends far more on how close together they are than on lawn size. Route density is the constraint.
Is lawn care profitable?+
Yes with a tight route, recurring contracts, and add-on services. Scattered one-off cuts rarely pay well.
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