What does a gardener earn?

Gardeners design, care for and produce plants – from landscaping and nursery work to ornamental plants, cemeteries and vegetable growing. Gross pay depends on region, collective agreements, specialism and experience. As a guide, qualified gardeners in Germany in 2026 often earn about €2,700–€3,250 gross per month; during apprenticeship typical ranges are around €900–€1,220.

Comic illustration of a gardener with a spade and plants in a green space
Created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed

Salary by region (gross/month)

Region
Apprenticeship (gross/month)
Qualified (gross/month)
Baden-Württemberg
1.080–1.420 €
3.150–3.780 €
Bavaria
1.060–1.390 €
3.100–3.720 €
Berlin
1.010–1.340 €
3.000–3.580 €
Brandenburg
900–1.200 €
2.520–3.020 €
Bremen
980–1.300 €
2.980–3.540 €
Hamburg
1.040–1.380 €
3.180–3.820 €
Hesse
1.030–1.360 €
3.120–3.700 €
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
880–1.170 €
2.420–2.920 €
Lower Saxony
970–1.290 €
2.950–3.520 €
North Rhine-Westphalia
1.000–1.330 €
3.080–3.680 €
Rhineland-Palatinate
950–1.270 €
2.880–3.430 €
Saarland
930–1.250 €
2.820–3.380 €
Saxony
910–1.210 €
2.620–3.130 €
Saxony-Anhalt
880–1.180 €
2.500–2.980 €
Schleswig-Holstein
940–1.260 €
2.860–3.420 €
Thuringia
900–1.190 €
2.580–3.080 €
Germany (average)
990–1.310 €
2.950–3.540 €

Orientation figures as of 2026. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, employer, region, specialism (e.g. landscaping, nursery) and experience and is not a guarantee.

Further training options

Option
Duration
Salary impact
Specialization in landscaping (GaLaBau)
Weeks to months (incl. practice)
often €2,900–€3,500
Tree care / rope climbing technique
Weeks to several months (incl. certificates)
often €3,000–€3,700
Plant protection certification
Days to weeks
often €2,800–€3,400
Foreperson / crew leader in landscaping
Experience plus seminar (weeks)
often €3,100–€3,800
Master gardener (Gärtnermeister)
about 1–2 years
often €3,400–€4,300
Horticultural technician or landscape architecture degree
about 2–4 years
often €3,600–€4,700

Job and everyday work

Depending on the specialism, a gardener works outdoors, in greenhouses or on client sites: planting and plant care, shaping spaces, operating machines and ensuring quality. Everyday work includes weather-dependent shifts, teamwork, coordination with clients or production, and safe use of tools and equipment.

  • Plant, transplant and care for plants; mind soil, irrigation and nutrients.
  • Mow, prune and weed green spaces; maintain paths, beds and outdoor areas.
  • Operate and service machines and tools (lawnmowers, brush cutters, excavators) safely.
  • Agree schedules, quality and materials with clients, site management or production planning.
  • Plan around seasons and weather; allow for frost, heat and rain in care and planting.
  • Follow occupational safety and PPE rules; secure workplaces and construction sites.

Show gardener jobs in the Eifel (12)