How to Price for Lawn Mowing Jobs in 2025: Contractor’s Pricing Guide
June 20, 2025 - 20 min read
June 20, 2025 - 20 min read
Table of Contents
| TL;DR Pricing lawn mowing jobs correctly means covering labor ($16-$25/hour), overhead (15-30% of costs), and applying the right markup for healthy profits. Most lawn care providers charge $30-$80 per hour or $0.01-$0.06 per square foot. Use FieldCamp’s tools to calculate precise estimates and streamline your lawn care operations. |
Pricing lawn care jobs isn’t just about matching the going rate—it’s about making sure every visit covers your costs and drives profit.
In 2025, lawn care services typically range from $30 to $80 per visit, with hourly rates between $30 and $65 (Angi, 2024).
But if you’re simply following averages without factoring in your own labor, fuel, equipment, and admin time, you could be undercharging without even realizing it. If you’re unsure where to begin, our service pricing guide is a great place to start—it walks you through all the key cost components and helps you build a pricing structure that works.
To stay competitive as your client base grows, you need systems that keep your pricing consistent and your operations organized. Once you’ve nailed your costs, plug them into our service pricing calculator to run the numbers and generate quotes that reflect the work involved.
This guide breaks down how to price lawn mowing jobs in 2025—from calculating overhead and labor to applying margins that protect your bottom line. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your crew, you’ll leave with a smarter approach to quoting that’s built for sustainability.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
How to Charge for Lawn Mowing in 2025
Understanding current market rates helps you position your lawn mowing services competitively while ensuring profitability. Also, explore the latest lawn care industry statistics and trends to stay informed and updated, and see how national trends affect lawn care service pricing in your region.
National Pricing Ranges
| Pricing Method | Rate Range | Best For |
| Hourly Rate | $30–$80/hour | Unpredictable terrain, new contractors |
| Per Visit | $49–$204/visit | Standard residential properties |
| Per Square Foot | $0.01–$0.06/sq ft | Large commercial properties |
| Per Acre | $60–$150/acre | Expansive lawns, rural properties |
📌 Note: The national average price for lawn mowing is $123 per visit, ranging between $49 and $204 (Angi, 2025). Your actual rates will depend on local market conditions and service complexity for lawn maintenance services.
Smart contractors adjust their pricing based on property size to maximize efficiency and profitability for their lawn service:
| Lawn Size | Average Cost | Typical Time |
| Up to 5,000 sq ft | $30–$75 | 30–45 minutes |
| 5,000–10,000 sq ft | $50–$125 | 45–75 minutes |
| 10,000–20,000 sq ft | $75–$175 | 1–2 hours |
| 1/2 acre (21,780 sq ft) | $100–$200 | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| 1 acre (43,560 sq ft) | $150–$300 | 2–4 hours |
Several variables affect how much you should charge for each lawn mowing job within the lawn care industry. Understanding these factors helps you quote accurately and avoid underpricing.
Choosing the right pricing model depends on your target market, experience level, and the complexity of jobs you handle.
How it works: Charge based on actual time spent on the property.
Formula: Total Cost = (Hours Worked × Hourly Rate × Number of Crew Members)Example:
2 crew members × 1.5 hours × $40/hour = $120 total
PROS
CONS
Transparent and easy to justify
Accounts for unexpected complications
Great for variable terrain or first-time jobs
Clients may question efficiency
Doesn’t reward speed improvements
Can discourage investment in better equipment
Best for: New contractors, unpredictable properties, or complex terrain.
How it works: Set a rate per square foot of mowable area.
Formula: Total Cost = Square Footage × Rate per Sq FtExample:
8,000 sq ft × $0.03/sq ft = $240 total
PROS
CONS
Easy for clients to understand
Scalable for large properties
Predictable pricing for both parties
Doesn’t account for obstacles or terrain
Requires accurate measurements
May undervalue complex jobs
Best for: Commercial properties, large open lawns, or standardized residential developments.
How it works: One price for the complete service, regardless of time spent.
Formula: Total Cost = (Labor + Materials + Overhead) × (1 + Profit Margin)
Example: Standard 1/4 acre lawn: $85 flat rate (regardless of actual time)
PROS
CONS
Clients love price certainty
Rewards efficiency improvements
Simplifies billing and contracts
Risk of losing money on complex jobs
Requires accurate time estimates
Harder to adjust for scope changes
Best for: Recurring clients, standardized properties, or experienced contractors with accurate time estimates.
How it works: Bundle mowing with additional services at a discounted rate.
Example Packages:
Basic Package ($60/visit)
Premium Package ($95/visit)
Accurate cost calculation is the foundation of profitable pricing. Here’s how to break down every expense that goes into a lawn mowing job.
Labor typically represents 40-60% of your total job cost.
Formula: Labor Cost = (Hourly Wage + Labor Burden) × Hours × Number of Workers
Labor burden includes:
Example:
Need help calculating precise labor costs? Use our free labor cost calculator to factor in all expenses, including payroll taxes and benefits.
Don’t forget the hidden costs of equipment ownership and operation.
Direct Equipment Costs per Job:
Example:
1.5-hour job × $7/hour equipment cost = $10.50
Overhead costs are everything that keeps your lawn care company operating, including office space, insurance, fuel costs, and advertising (Jobber, 2025).
Monthly Overhead Examples:
Per-Job Overhead Calculation:
$1,900 ÷ 80 jobs per month = $23.75 overhead per job
For basic mowing, material costs are minimal but should still be tracked:
For a 1.5-hour, two-person crew job:
To achieve a 20% profit margin:
Customer price: $104.75 × 1.25 = $130.94
Once you finalize your pricing, it’s crucial to invoice clearly and professionally. Use FieldCamp’s free lawn care invoice template to send accurate, branded invoices for every job.
Geographic location significantly impacts mowing costs due to varying costs of living, labor rates, and demand for services. Urban areas typically see elevated charges compared to suburban or rural locations (Angi, 2025; Lawn Love, 2025).
| Region Type | Hourly Rate Range | Per Visit Range |
| Major Metropolitan | $50–$80/hour | $75–$250/visit |
| Suburban | $35–$60/hour | $50–$175/visit |
| Rural | $25–$45/hour | $35–$125/visit |
Markets like San Francisco, New York, and Boston command premium rates due to:
Many overhead costs related to maintaining vehicles, equipment, and insurance apply year-round, so you may need to build slow-season costs into peak-season rates (Angi, 2024).
During high-demand months, consider:
Maintain cash flow during slower months by offering:
Encourage year-round contracts by offering:
An operating profit margin of 15-20% is a great goal for a small lawn care business (Jobber, 2025). Here’s how to achieve and maintain healthy margins.
Profit Margin = (Revenue – Costs) ÷ Revenue × 100
Markup = Profit ÷ Costs × 100
| Desired Profit Margin | Required Markup |
| 15% | 17.6% |
| 20% | 25.0% |
| 25% | 33.3% |
| 30% | 42.9% |
Converting between profit margins and markup percentages can be confusing and time-consuming.
Our free profit margin calculator eliminates the guesswork by instantly showing you both metrics, plus the exact client price you need to charge. No more pricing mistakes that eat into your profits.
Standard Subdivisions: $0.02-$0.04 per square foot for regular maintenance contracts
Upscale Neighborhoods: $0.04-$0.06 per square foot with attention to detail and additional services
Rural Properties: $0.01-$0.03 per square foot, but factor in longer travel times
Commercial mowing rates are $25 to $150 per acre or $50 to $80 per hour per worker (HomeGuide, 2023). Large properties often accept lower per-acre rates in exchange for:
First Cut of Season: Charge 50-100% more for overgrown lawns requiring multiple passes
One-Time Cleanups: One-time services cost 50% to 100% more than regular service rates (HoeGuide, 2023)
Emergency Services: Add 25-50% surcharge for same-day or urgent requests
Run a smarter, more profitable lawn care business—without the manual headaches.
With FieldCamp, you get an all-in-one toolkit designed specifically for service pros like you. Whether you’re pricing your first job or scaling up to manage multiple crews, FieldCamp keeps your operations sharp and streamlined.
Track every detail—from technician hours and fuel usage to equipment wear and materials. FieldCamp helps you calculate job profitability in real-time, so you can quote better and grow faster.
Create itemized estimates and branded invoices in minutes. Clearly show labor, materials, and service details to boost trust and reduce payment delays. Use our free lawn care invoice template or let FieldCamp automate the process.
Assign jobs based on the fastest routes and technician availability. Cut fuel costs, reduce idle time, and fit more jobs into your day.
Give your customers a portal where they can view estimates, pay invoices, approve jobs, and track progress—all from one place.
What are you getting benefitted with?
Detailed performance reports & dashboards via the AI Command Center
Level Up Your Lawn Business
From field to finances, FieldCamp gives you full control over every job, client, and crew member. No spreadsheets, no guesswork.
Pricing Calculator Guide
Use this step-by-step process to calculate competitive pricing for any lawn mowing job:
Job Details: 12,000 sq ft suburban lawn, weekly service
Step 1: Estimated time = 1.25 hours (2-person crew)
Step 2: Labor = 1.25 × 2 × $22.50 = $56.25
Step 3: Equipment = 1.25 × $7.00 = $8.75
Step 4: Overhead = $23.75 (from monthly calculation)
Step 5: Subtotal = $88.75
Step 6: Add 25% markup = $110.94
Final Price: $111 per visit
Quote Smarter. Get Paid Faster.
Use FieldCamp to generate accurate estimates, send branded invoices, and track payments—all in one place. Impress clients and get paid on time, every time.
Smart lawn care contractors don’t compete on price—they compete on value, reliability, and professional service. When your pricing accurately reflects your true costs and desired margins, you’re not just covering expenses; you’re building a sustainable business that can invest in better equipment, hire skilled workers, and provide the level of service that commands premium rates.
The key is understanding your numbers, knowing your market, and communicating your value clearly to potential clients. With the right pricing strategy and tools like FieldCamp to streamline your operations, you can build a profitable lawn care business that thrives in any market condition.
Ready to optimize your lawn care pricing? Try FieldCamp’s complete field service management platform and see how the right tools can boost your efficiency, improve your margins, and help you grow your business with confidence.
Start with hourly pricing to understand how long different job types take you. Charging by the hour can be a smart move for new lawn professionals because it’s hard to estimate job completion time at first (Angi, 2024). Track your time religiously for the first 20-30 jobs, then transition to more profitable pricing models.
Hourly pricing protects you from unexpected complications but may concern efficiency-focused clients. Per square foot pricing offers predictability but doesn’t account for terrain challenges. Most successful contractors use hourly rates for new clients and complex properties, then switch to flat rates for regular accounts.
Absolutely. Some lawn care businesses charge extra fees for lawns that are 12 inches and higher, with prices increasing significantly over certain height thresholds (LawnStarter, 2025). Charge 50-100% more for first cuts or severely overgrown properties.
Review rates annually, typically before peak season starts. Factor in inflation, equipment costs, insurance changes, and local market conditions. Existing contracts should include clauses allowing annual rate adjustments.
Focus on value, not price. Explain what’s included in your service, highlight your insurance and reliability, and show how professional maintenance protects their property investment. If they’re purely price-shopping, they’re probably not your ideal client.
Build fuel costs into your base rates or implement a fuel surcharge when gas prices exceed a certain threshold (e.g., $4.00/gallon). Communicate fuel policies clearly in your contracts and adjust quarterly if needed.
