Research & Data
Labor is the largest operating cost for lawn care businesses, typically representing 40-55% of total expenses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks wages for grounds maintenance workers (SOC 37-3011) across every metropolitan area in the country. Regional wage differences are a primary driver of why the same mowing job costs different amounts in different cities.
Labor is the largest operating cost for lawn care businesses, typically representing 40-55% of total expenses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks wages for grounds maintenance workers (SOC 37-3011) across every metropolitan area in the country. Regional wage differences are a primary driver of why the same mowing job costs different amounts in different cities.
Labor is the largest operating cost for lawn care businesses, typically representing 40-55% of total expenses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks wages for grounds maintenance workers (SOC 37-3011) across every metropolitan area in the country. Regional wage differences are a primary driver of why the same mowing job costs different amounts in different cities.
| Percentile | Hourly Wage | Annual Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $13.67 | $28,430 |
| 25th | $15.59 | $32,430 |
| 50th (median) | $18.65 | $38,790 |
| 75th | $22.94 | $47,720 |
| 90th | $27.98 | $58,200 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 37-3011 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers), May 2024 release.
The wide distribution reflects the industry's range: entry-level seasonal workers at the low end, experienced crew leads and specialized treatment technicians at the high end. The median represents a strong approximation of the "typical" crew member wage across all employer sizes.
| Region | Median Hourly | vs National | Key Metros |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $19.50-22.80 | +5 to +22% | Boston ($22.80), NYC ($21.40), Philadelphia ($19.90) |
| Mid-Atlantic | $18.50-21.00 | -1 to +13% | Baltimore ($19.60), DC ($21.00), Richmond ($18.50) |
| Southeast | $15.80-18.20 | -15 to -2% | Atlanta ($17.80), Charlotte ($17.20), Jacksonville ($16.40) |
| Deep South | $14.80-17.50 | -21 to -6% | Birmingham ($15.90), Memphis ($16.20), New Orleans ($17.10) |
| Midwest | $17.40-19.60 | -7 to +5% | Chicago ($19.60), Minneapolis ($18.90), Columbus ($17.80) |
| Great Plains | $16.00-18.50 | -14 to -1% | Kansas City ($17.60), Omaha ($17.20), Oklahoma City ($16.80) |
| Southwest | $16.50-19.00 | -12 to +2% | Dallas ($17.40), Houston ($16.90), Phoenix ($18.20) |
| Mountain West | $17.00-19.50 | -9 to +5% | Denver ($19.50), Salt Lake City ($18.00), Boise ($17.40) |
| West Coast | $19.80-24.50 | +6 to +31% | San Francisco ($24.50), Seattle ($22.00), Portland ($20.10) |
Source: BLS OES, May 2024, by MSA. Ranges reflect metro-level variation within each region. Metro figures are representative samples, not exhaustive.
The relationship between labor cost and consumer pricing is direct but not 1:1. A $5/hour labor cost increase typically translates to $8-15 per visit in consumer mowing prices because:
| Factor | Oklahoma City | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Median grounds worker wage | $16.80/hr | $22.80/hr |
| Loaded rate (wage + 30%) | $21.84/hr | $29.64/hr |
| Mow time (door-to-door, standard lot) | 55 min | 55 min |
| Labor cost per job | $20.02 | $27.17 |
| Non-labor costs (equipment, vehicle, overhead) | $12.00 | $14.50 |
| Total cost per job | $32.02 | $41.67 |
| Price at 35% margin | $49.26 | $64.11 |
This aligns with observed market pricing: OKC standard mowing runs $30-50/visit while Boston runs $55-85+/visit. The labor cost difference is the primary structural driver.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total employed (SOC 37-3011) | ~1.3 million | BLS OES |
| Seasonal employment swing | 30-40% in northern states | Industry estimates |
| Average firm size | 5-8 employees | Census SUSB |
| Industry job growth (2022-2032) | 5% | BLS Occupational Outlook |
| Employee turnover rate | 30-50% annual | Industry surveys |
High turnover is a structural feature of the industry. Seasonal layoffs, physical labor demands, and competition from other trades (construction, delivery) create persistent churn. Operators who retain crew members across seasons consistently report better margins due to reduced training costs and higher crew efficiency.
When operators calculate job costs, the hourly wage is the starting point — not the full picture. The "loaded" rate includes:
| Component | Typical Addition |
|---|---|
| Employer FICA (Social Security + Medicare) | +7.65% |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | +0.6% |
| State unemployment (SUTA) | +2-6% (varies by state and experience rating) |
| Workers compensation insurance | +5-15% (varies by state and classification) |
| General liability insurance allocation | +1-3% |
| Total load factor | +16-32% on base wage |
A $18/hr employee costs $20.88-23.76/hr when fully loaded. This is why the "door-to-door cost model" in Calculating Your True Cost Per Job matters — operators who price against base wages instead of loaded rates systematically underprice their services.
| State | Median Hourly | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| California | $21.50 | Cost of living + minimum wage |
| Massachusetts | $22.20 | Northeast labor market tightness |
| Washington | $21.80 | Seattle metro pulls state average up |
| Connecticut | $21.60 | Affluent suburban market |
| New York | $20.90 | NYC metro influence |
| State | Median Hourly | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $14.20 | Lowest cost of living nationally |
| Arkansas | $14.80 | Rural market dominance |
| Louisiana | $15.10 | Low cost of living + seasonal hurricane disruption |
| Alabama | $15.40 | Lower labor demand density |
| South Carolina | $15.70 | Growing but still below national median |
Source: BLS OES state-level data, SOC 37-3011, May 2024.
All wage data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2024 release, for SOC 37-3011 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). BLS data is collected from a semi-annual survey of approximately 1.1 million establishments.
Employment projections are from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Loaded labor rate calculations follow standard payroll accounting methodology. Consumer pricing correlations are derived from cross-referencing BLS wage data with pricing data collected for our city-level pricing guides.