Best States for Landscape Contractor (Residential)s to Start a Home Business
We ranked all 51 states based on licensing requirements, earning potential, LLC costs, and tax burden. Here are the best (and worst) states for landscape contractor (residential)s.
3 states don't require a license · National median: N/A · Updated 2025
▲ Top 5 Best States
Full Ranking: All 51 States
| # | State | License | Fee | Median Wage | LLC Cost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | No | — | $21.45/hr | $150 | 90 |
| 2 | Michigan | Yes | $35 | $18.22/hr | $50 | 88 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | No | — | $22.62/hr | $500 | 85 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | Yes | $25 | $21.42/hr | $100 | 84 |
| 5 | Iowa | Yes | $75 | $18.01/hr | $50 | 83 |
| 6 | South Carolina | No | — | $17.37/hr | $110 | 83 |
| 7 | Kentucky | Yes | $40 | $17.19/hr | $40 | 81 |
| 8 | Missouri | Yes | $50 | $17.97/hr | $50 | 81 |
| 9 | Illinois | Yes | $50 | $20.73/hr | $150 | 80 |
| 10 | Maine | Yes | $25 | $21.86/hr | $175 | 80 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | Yes | $40 | $18.16/hr | $125 | 80 |
| 12 | Vermont | Yes | $30 | $19.83/hr | $125 | 80 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | Yes | $30 | $18.90/hr | $130 | 80 |
| 14 | Idaho | Yes | $150 | $18.55/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 15 | Colorado | Yes | $170 | $21.61/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 16 | Montana | Yes | $175 | $19.01/hr | $35 | 78 |
| 17 | Indiana | Yes | $50 | $17.78/hr | $100 | 77 |
| 18 | Oklahoma | Yes | $38 | $16.79/hr | $100 | 77 |
| 19 | New Mexico | Yes | $75 | $17.18/hr | $50 | 76 |
| 20 | Kansas | Yes | $85 | $18.17/hr | $165 | 75 |
| 21 | Nebraska | Yes | $97 | $18.22/hr | $110 | 75 |
| 22 | New York | Yes | $100 | $21.49/hr | $200 | 75 |
| 23 | North Dakota | Yes | $150 | $19.00/hr | $135 | 75 |
| 24 | Florida | Yes | $35 | $17.32/hr | $125 | 73 |
| 25 | Wyoming | Yes | $25 | $17.88/hr | $102 | 73 |
| 26 | Georgia | Yes | $75 | $17.71/hr | $100 | 72 |
| 27 | Ohio | Yes | $125 | $17.90/hr | $99 | 72 |
| 28 | Minnesota | Yes | $225 | $22.47/hr | $155 | 70 |
| 29 | Utah | Yes | $445 | $18.72/hr | $54 | 69 |
| 30 | Virginia | Yes | $320 | $18.07/hr | $100 | 69 |
| 31 | Arizona | Yes | $596 | $18.23/hr | $50 | 68 |
| 32 | South Dakota | Yes | $70 | $15.11/hr | $150 | 68 |
| 33 | Louisiana | Yes | $214 | $15.64/hr | $100 | 67 |
| 34 | Arkansas | Yes | $200 | $16.56/hr | $50 | 66 |
| 35 | Alaska | Yes | $350 | $22.36/hr | $250 | 65 |
| 36 | Connecticut | Yes | — | $21.59/hr | $120 | 65 |
| 37 | New Jersey | Yes | $185 | $19.42/hr | $125 | 65 |
| 38 | Washington | Yes | $180 | $22.21/hr | $200 | 65 |
| 39 | California | Yes | $579 | $21.32/hr | $70 | 64 |
| 40 | District of Columbia | Yes | $442 | $22.75/hr | $99 | 64 |
| 41 | Hawaii | Yes | $694 | $21.54/hr | $51 | 64 |
| 42 | Maryland | Yes | $533 | $18.30/hr | $100 | 64 |
| 43 | Oregon | Yes | $1065 | $20.76/hr | $100 | 64 |
| 44 | Delaware | Yes | — | $17.81/hr | $110 | 63 |
| 45 | Mississippi | Yes | — | $14.83/hr | $50 | 63 |
| 46 | North Carolina | Yes | $285 | $17.74/hr | $125 | 63 |
| 47 | Texas | Yes | $75 | $17.42/hr | $300 | 63 |
| 48 | West Virginia | Yes | $201 | $14.57/hr | $100 | 59 |
| 49 | Alabama | Yes | $325 | $16.91/hr | $200 | 58 |
| 50 | Nevada | Yes | $1215 | $18.09/hr | $425 | 55 |
| 51 | Tennessee | Yes | $307 | $17.84/hr | $300 | 53 |
▼ 5 Most Challenging States
Tennessee
Fee: $307$17.84/hr53
Nevada
Fee: $1215$18.09/hr55
Alabama
Fee: $325$16.91/hr58
West Virginia
Fee: $201$14.57/hr59
Texas
Fee: $75$17.42/hr63
How We Scored Each State
Each state starts with a base score of 50, then we add or subtract points based on:
- No license required: +20 points (biggest single factor — lower barriers to entry)
- License fee: −10 for fees over $500, −5 for over $300, +10 for under $50
- Wages above national median: Up to +15 points for states paying 20%+ above national median
- LLC formation cost: +8 for states under $50, −5 for states over $300
- No sales tax on services: +5 points
Data sources: Institute for Justice License to Work 3 (licensing), BLS OEWS May 2024 (wages), state Secretary of State offices (LLC costs). This ranking reflects factors relevant to home-based operators — commercial location costs, local zoning, and cost of living are not included.
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