Landscaping Salary in New Hampshire 2026
See how much landscapers earn in New Hampshire in 2026: average hourly rate, annual pay, the highest-paying metros, and how to make more. Based on BLS wage data.
Landscaping pay in New Hampshire (2026)
- Median annual salary: $41,612
- Median hourly rate: $20/hour
- Entry-level (apprentice / 1-2 years): $29,129 ($14/hr)
- Senior (10+ years / master): $58,257 ($28/hr)
Pay reflects New Hampshire cost-of-living and union/non-union mix. Top metros pay 10-25% above the state median.
What drives Landscaping pay in New Hampshire
- License classification - master/journeyman pay 30-50% more than apprentices
- Specialty certifications (EPA 608 for HVAC, OSHA 30 for roofing, IICRC for restoration)
- Union vs. non-union - union typically pays 20-35% more with full benefits
- Commercial vs. residential - commercial pays 15-25% more
- New Hampshire metro area - high-cost metros add 15-30%
New Hampshire Landscaping licensing requirements that affect pay
No statewide GC license; electrical, plumbing, gas fitting require state license . Licensed contractors typically command 25-50% higher pay than unlicensed counterparts. See New Hampshire Landscaping license requirements.
How landscaping pay actually moves in New Hampshire
New Hampshire landscaping pay is not a single number. It is a range that moves based on license level, specialty certifications, the metro market the worker lives in, whether the shop is union or open, and whether the work is residential or commercial. The same landscaping professional can earn entry-level wages in a low-cost rural New Hampshire county and earn the senior rate in a high-cost New Hampshire metro doing identical scope, because the wage is keyed to local cost of living more than to skill alone.
The wage curve over a career follows a predictable pattern: apprentice years are roughly 60 to 75 percent of journeyman pay, journeyman years are the median, master certification adds 15 to 25 percent above journeyman, and specialty certifications (EPA 608 Universal for HVAC, OSHA 30 plus IICRC for restoration, NICET for fire protection) push that further. The landscaping who picks the high-leverage certifications early sees their pay accelerate faster than the one who waits until later in their career to add them.
New Hampshire does not impose statewide landscaping licensing, but most metros in New Hampshire have their own local registration requirements. The contractor who registers in multiple metros can take work across the state without restriction, which expands their addressable market and lifts their effective rate.
Career path from apprentice to running a New Hampshire landscaping shop
- Years 1 to 2 (apprentice). $29,129 annual. Working under a journeyman, learning the trade, building the hour count needed for journeyman status. The smart apprentice picks up at least one specialty cert during this window.
- Years 3 to 5 (journeyman). $41,612 annual. Working independently on standard scope. Many landscaping professionals stay journeymen for the rest of their careers because the W-2 schedule and benefits beat going independent.
- Years 6 to 10 (senior journeyman / lead). $49,935 annual. Running crews, mentoring apprentices, building the operational chops needed to either take master certification or start a shop.
- Years 10+ (master / shop owner). $58,257 as a master journeyman working W-2. A solo shop owner running their own license can clear $104,031 net of expenses in a good year, or more if they grow to two or three trucks.
Why New Hampshire landscaping pay rises or falls year over year
New Hampshire landscaping wages move primarily based on labor supply and demand at the state level. When New Hampshire construction permits rise, demand for landscaping labor rises, which pushes wages up. When permits fall or weather curtails the building season, wages flatten or drop. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics survey publishes New Hampshire-specific data annually, and the trend over the last five years for landscaping has been steadily upward with occasional flat years during economic downturns.
Beyond the macro trend, individual landscaping pay depends on which employer the worker chooses. A larger New Hampshire shop with steady work and a good benefits package can offer lower hourly pay but higher total compensation than a smaller shop with no benefits and variable hours. The worker who looks at hourly rate alone misses the value of paid time off, health insurance, retirement contributions, and tool allowances.
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New Hampshire market conditions for Landscaping contractors
Manchester and Nashua benefit from Boston metro proximity. Tech (Dyn, BAE Systems) and healthcare drive commercial. Lakes Region drives premium seasonal residential. The largest landscaping markets in New Hampshire are Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Portsmouth. Union presence across the state is medium, and most work is bid at open-market labor rates.
How the New Hampshire season shapes landscaping work and pricing
Southern New Hampshire (Manchester, Nashua) is largely a Boston metro spillover market. Lakes Region (Lake Winnipesaukee) sees seasonal vacation-home demand. Winter slows exterior work Dec-Mar. Peak building season runs Apr-Nov, which is when landscaping scheduling tightens and quotes firm up. Booking outside that window usually means better pricing and more attentive scheduling.
Insurance and claims climate for New Hampshire landscaping contractors
New Hampshire has moderate insurance regulation. Snow-load and ice dam claims drive winter activity.
New Hampshire building code notes that affect landscaping jobs
NH adopts IRC statewide via NH State Building Code. Snow load 30-90 psf depending on region.
Rules specific to New Hampshire contractors
- No state contractor license - local jurisdictions handle
- Plumbing and electrical separately licensed by state
- No sales tax on contractor labor
- Lead Paint Renovator certification required