Across U.S. metros, maintenance technicians typically earn $10,790 more a year than landscapers (29%). In the 390 metros where BLS publishes both, landscapers earn more in 1 and maintenance technicians in 389.
| Landscaper | Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $37,540 | $48,330 |
| Lowest metro median | $21,840 | $22,040 |
| Highest metro median | $49,030 | $63,980 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +4.7% | +4.2% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 149,500 | 148,700 |
| Self-employed | 20% | 1% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Short-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 165 | 212 |
| Metros with pay data | 390 | 393 |
On safety, maintenance technicians report more injuries that cause missed work (212 vs. 165 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where landscapers out-earn maintenance technicians the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where maintenance technicians out-earn landscapers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
What each trade does
Landscaper
Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.
Maintenance Technician
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.
Compare one trade across two cities →