How to Become a Landscape Technician in Iowa (2026)
Iowa employs about 8,800 landscape technicians earning a median $38,920 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most landscape technicians train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Iowa.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Iowa): $38,920/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Iowa: 8,800 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 0.92x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 3.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Iowa employs approximately 8,800 landscape technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,920 1. Nationally, landscape technician employment is projected to grow 3.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 158,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a landscape technician in Iowa, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Landscape Technician Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
Conservation Scientists Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), conservation scientists wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 3,920 | $46,330 | $45,217 | $35,281 | $61,710 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 2,330 | $46,526 | $44,898 | $30,964 | $60,770 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 1,130 | $39,070 | $41,601 | $29,768 | $59,550 |
| Cedar Rapids | 680 | $39,830 | $41,040 | $28,390 | $57,050 |
| Iowa City | 590 | $39,580 | $42,370 | $28,870 | $58,000 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 480 | $38,770 | $40,830 | $27,800 | $57,760 |
| Sioux City | 400 | $38,820 | $41,380 | $29,190 | $58,460 |
| Ames | 390 | $44,580 | $43,580 | $28,900 | $58,660 |
| Dubuque | 240 | $41,450 | $43,010 | $29,150 | $61,280 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Iowa): $38,920 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Landscape Technician in Iowa
How to become a landscape technician in Iowa? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for landscape technicians in Iowa.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do landscape technicians earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for landscape technicians in Iowa is $38,920 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,480 and experienced professionals can earn $58,420 or more 1.
How to Become a Landscape Technician in Iowa
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Iowa training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Iowa that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to landscape technicians in Iowa before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for landscape technicians in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 8,800 landscape technicians 1. Nationally, landscape technician employment is projected to grow 3.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Iowa.
How much do landscape technicians earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for landscape technicians in Iowa is $38,920, which is $830 above the national median of $38,090 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |