Gardener jobs in Chicago, IL typically pay $18–$30 an hour (about $3,100–$5,200 a month full time). Most positions are live-out, with a usual schedule of weekly visits or full-time on estates. Employers ask for horticulture experience and a criminal background check. Register with AvailJob to be matched with families hiring in Chicago.
- Typical pay
- $18–$30
- per hour
- Full-time monthly
- $3,100–$5,200
- about 40 hours a week
- Live-in
- Rare
- accommodation provided
- Schedule
- Weekly visits or full-time on estates
- Open now
- 0
- register to be matched
Open gardener positions in Chicago
No open position is listed for Chicago today. New gardener jobs are added as families hire. Register once and we will match you to the next opening near you.
Register as a GardenerAbout gardener jobs in Chicago
A gardener maintains lawns, beds, hedges and outdoor spaces so a property looks cared for in every season. In Chicago, IL, these roles are offered by private households across Chicagoland Area, from busy professional couples to large multi-generation homes.
Chicago is known for finance, commodities trading, logistics, and architecture, and many of the families who hire domestic staff here work for employers such as Boeing, United Airlines, McDonald's, CME Group, and Morningstar. Chicago's Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) is the world's largest futures exchange.
Main duties
- Mow, edge and feed lawns
- Prune hedges, shrubs and small trees
- Plant and care for seasonal beds
- Control weeds and pests responsibly
- Clear leaves and green waste
Gardener pay in Chicago
Household incomes in Chicago are shaped by an average local salary of around $70,000, which is why gardener pay here sits close to the USA average. Pay rises with experience, references, live-in flexibility and extra duties such as driving or cooking.
Indicative ranges for 2026 based on local salary levels and published household pay; individual offers vary.
A day as a gardener
- 7:00Watering & irrigation check
- 9:00Mowing & edging
- 11:30Pruning & weeding
- 14:00Planting & feeding
- 16:00Clean-up & tools
Why work in Chicago?
The local job market is growing at 2.3% annually, so demand for reliable household staff keeps rising as more dual-income families move to Chicago.
Chicago is often described as “Midwest's Financial and Commercial Capital”, and its households expect a professional standard of service.
Requirements
What families ask for
- Horticulture experience
- Safe use of power tools
- Knowledge of local plants and climate
- References
Working in United States
- Right to work in United States: Workers must be authorised to work in the United States, and employers complete Form I-9 to verify eligibility.
- Checks: employers usually ask for a criminal background check, identity and Social Security verification, a motor-vehicle record for driving roles and, for childcare, a sex-offender registry search.
- Minimum pay: wages must meet the federal minimum wage or the higher state and city minimum, whichever applies.
- Contract: A written work agreement covering duties, hours, pay, overtime, paid time off, termination notice and confidentiality prevents most disputes.
Live-in or live-out?
Most gardener roles in Chicago are live-out, paid by the hour and booked for regular days. Ask whether travel time between homes, evenings or weekends are paid at a higher rate.
How to get hired
- Register
Create your profile with your gardener experience, availability and references.
- Verification
Complete USA right-to-work and background checks.
- Interview & trial
Meet the family and work a short, paid trial day.
- Contract & start
Agree pay, hours and leave in writing before you start.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gardener earn in Chicago, IL?
Gardener jobs in Chicago, IL typically pay $18–$30 an hour (about $3,100–$5,200 a month full time). Experience, live-in arrangements, hours and extra duties move pay within this range.
Are there live-in gardener jobs in Chicago?
Most positions are live-out. Most gardener roles in Chicago are live-out, paid by the hour and booked for regular days.
What do I need to work as a gardener in USA?
Employers ask for horticulture experience, safe use of power tools and a criminal background check. You must also have the right to work in United States.
What does a gardener do day to day?
A gardener maintains lawns, beds, hedges and outdoor spaces so a property looks cared for in every season. Typical duties include mow, edge and feed lawns, prune hedges, shrubs and small trees, plant and care for seasonal beds.
How do I apply for gardener jobs in Chicago on AvailJob?
Register your profile with your experience, availability and references. When a family in Chicago hires for this role, you are matched and contacted.
What hours does a gardener work?
A typical schedule is weekly visits or full-time on estates. Hours, days off and overtime should be written into your contract.