Landscaping Salary in Vermont 2026

See how much landscapers earn in Vermont in 2026: average hourly rate, annual pay, the highest-paying metros, and how to make more. Based on BLS wage data.

Landscaping pay in Vermont (2026)

Median annual salary: $40,446
Median hourly rate: $19/hour
Entry-level (apprentice / 1-2 years): $28,312 ($14/hr)
Senior (10+ years / master): $56,624 ($27/hr)

Pay reflects Vermont cost-of-living and union/non-union mix. Top metros pay 10-25% above the state median.

What drives Landscaping pay in Vermont

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
Vermont metro area - high-cost metros add 15-30%

Vermont Landscaping licensing requirements that affect pay

No statewide GC license; electrical and plumbing require state license . Licensed contractors typically command 25-50% higher pay than unlicensed counterparts. See Vermont Landscaping license requirements.

How landscaping pay actually moves in Vermont

Vermont 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 Vermont county and earn the senior rate in a high-cost Vermont 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.

Vermont does not impose statewide landscaping licensing, but most metros in Vermont 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 Vermont landscaping shop

Years 1 to 2 (apprentice). $28,312 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). $40,446 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). $48,535 annual. Running crews, mentoring apprentices, building the operational chops needed to either take master certification or start a shop.
Years 10+ (master / shop owner). $56,624 as a master journeyman working W-2. A solo shop owner running their own license can clear $101,114 net of expenses in a good year, or more if they grow to two or three trucks.

Why Vermont landscaping pay rises or falls year over year

Vermont landscaping wages move primarily based on labor supply and demand at the state level. When Vermont 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 Vermont-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 Vermont 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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Vermont market conditions for Landscaping contractors

Vermont is a small market (~645K population) but premium - University of Vermont Health Network, IBM Burlington (smaller post-Globalfoundries), and seasonal ski tourism drive pipeline. The largest landscaping markets in Vermont are Burlington, South Burlington, Rutland, Montpelier. Union presence across the state is medium, and prevailing-wage rules apply to public work, which raises labor rates on those projects.

How the Vermont season shapes landscaping work and pricing

Vermont has a tight May-Oct primary season. Burlington (Chittenden County) drives bulk of construction. Ski resort towns (Stowe, Killington) seasonal premium remodel demand. Peak building season runs May-Oct primary, 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 Vermont landscaping contractors

Vermont has moderate insurance regulation. Snow load and ice dam claims drive winter activity.

Vermont building code notes that affect landscaping jobs

Vermont adopts IRC. Energy efficiency stringent (Stretch Code in some towns). Snow load 50-90 psf.

Rules specific to Vermont contractors

No statewide GC license - local handles
Lead-Safe Renovator certification
Plumbing and electrical separately licensed
Vermont Public Service Board energy efficiency standards