Landscapers in
Palm Desert, CA

In the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, landscaping and groundskeeping workers earned a median of $20.99 an hour ($43,650 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $17.49–$28.00. About 13,190 people work in this occupation in the metro area. That is a higher share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 1.25). These are what workers earn, not what landscapers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

The typical home in Palm Desert was built in 1985, and 33% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $542,000. 38% of Palm Desert's homes are single-family detached houses, the homes most likely to have their own yard to maintain. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates.

Palm Desert is dry, with about 6 inches of precipitation a year, so drought-tolerant plants and efficient drip irrigation make a big difference to water use. The average temperature in Palm Desert is 74°F; summer afternoons average 105°F and winter nights 46°F. It gets about 6 inches of precipitation a year. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Landscaping costs in Palm Desert range from $50–$150 per visit for basic maintenance to $2,500–$12,000+ for comprehensive design and plantings. Hardscaping projects tend to be the most expensive.

Palm Desert homeowners have access to a wide range of landscaping services including lawn installation and maintenance, tree and shrub planting, irrigation systems, hardscaping (patios, walkways, retaining walls), outdoor lighting, landscape design, and seasonal cleanup. Many contractors in Palm Desert also offer specialized services like drainage solutions, sod installation, and xeriscaping.

Most basic landscaping in Palm Desert doesn't require a permit, but projects involving retaining walls over a certain height, irrigation systems connected to city water, grading that affects drainage, or tree removal may require permits. Contact the Palm Desert building department for permit requirements. Check with your local building department before starting any major landscaping project in Palm Desert.

On Ratedeed, you can browse landscapers serving Palm Desert who specialize in everything from lawn maintenance to complete outdoor transformations. Look for professionals experienced with Palm Desert's local climate and soil conditions. Read reviews from other Palm Desert homeowners, request free quotes, and ask for photos of completed projects in the area.

The best plants for Palm Desert depend on your specific location, sun exposure, and soil type. Local nurseries and landscapers familiar with Palm Desert's climate can recommend native and adapted species that thrive with minimal maintenance.