Landscapers in
Santa Maria, CA

In the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, landscaping and groundskeeping workers earned a median of $21.74 an hour ($45,230 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $17.30–$28.04. About 2,470 people work in this occupation in the metro area. That is a higher share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 2.01). 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 Santa Maria was built in 1982, and 47% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $531,700. 60% of Santa Maria'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.

Santa Maria is dry, with about 14 inches of precipitation a year, so drought-tolerant plants and efficient drip irrigation make a big difference to water use. The average temperature in Santa Maria is 58°F; summer afternoons average 72°F and winter nights 40°F. It gets about 14 inches of precipitation a year. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Landscaping costs in Santa Maria 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.

Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria also offer specialized services like drainage solutions, sod installation, and xeriscaping.

Most basic landscaping in Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria building department for permit requirements. Check with your local building department before starting any major landscaping project in Santa Maria.

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

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