Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

In Chicago and the surrounding Illinois-Indiana metropolitan area, landscaping and groundskeeping workers typically earn a median annual salary of $44,540, which translates to approximately $21.42 per hour. This figure is notably higher than the national median for this occupation, set at $38,090 annually. When compared to local household incomes, however, the earnings of these workers represent about 50% of the area's median household income of $88,850. Despite earning above the national average for their role, landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Chicago earn less than half of what the typical local household makes, highlighting a significant disparity between occupational wages and overall household financial benchmarks.

Earnings among landscaping and groundskeeping workers vary based on experience levels, with entry-level employees typically earning closer to the 10th percentile mark at $32,550 annually. In contrast, more experienced individuals can earn significantly higher salaries, reaching up to the 90th percentile of approximately $55,380 per year. This substantial difference in earnings is driven by several factors, including years of experience, skill level, geographic location within the region, and job responsibilities. Seasoned workers often have developed specialized skills or take on supervisory roles that justify higher pay. Additionally, demand for experienced labor can fluctuate with economic conditions and local unemployment rates, which currently stand at 5.10% in this area, further influencing wage variations between entry-level and veteran professionals.