Lawn Care for Profit: How Teens Make Money Mowing Lawns
Welcome to the booming world of lawn care for profit—where teens across the U.S. are learning that all you need to cut grass is hustle. Whether you're looking to buy a new phone, save for college, or just start your first real business, mowing lawns might be your fastest route to cash and confidence.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through how teens make money mowing lawns, step-by-step. From buying equipment to finding clients and setting the right prices, you’ll get everything you need to start a lawn care side hustle today—and maybe even turn it into a full-blown teen lawn care business.
Why Lawn Care Is the Perfect Side Hustle for Teens
Lawn care hits the sweet spot for young entrepreneurs. It’s simple to start, doesn’t require a big investment, and offers real-life business experience.
Here’s why mowing lawns is one of the top summer jobs for teens in 2025:
✅ Low Barriers to Entry
You don’t need a license, office space, or a fancy business plan. A mower, a little time, and some determination can get you started today.
✅ Flexible Schedule
Since most people want yard work done during the day or weekends, this fits perfectly around school or sports commitments.
✅ High Demand
Homeowners, especially in suburban areas, are looking for reliable local yard maintenance gigs. If you’re dependable, you’ll never be short on work.
✅ Room to Grow
Many teens start solo, then build teams or offer extra services like leaf cleanup, trimming, mulching, and snow removal in the winter.
✅ Business Skills for Life
From handling payments to marketing and customer service, a lawn business teaches skills no classroom can.
📊 Fact: According to a 2024 teen employment survey, outdoor part-time jobs like lawn care saw a 17% rise among teens aged 14–18.
What You Need to Start a Lawn Mowing Business
Getting started doesn’t require a lot. You can begin with basic equipment and upgrade as you earn more.
🛠️ Essential Lawn Care Tools for Beginners
Here’s what you need to launch your teen entrepreneur lawn service:
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Lawn mower: Gas or electric. Push mowers are great to start. Self-propelled if you’re doing large lawns.
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String trimmer (weed eater): For edges, fences, and sidewalk clean-ups.
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Fuel or batteries: Always keep extras handy.
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Safety gear: Gloves, eye protection, sunscreen, and water bottle.
💡 Bonus Tip: Ask family, neighbors, or community groups if they have old equipment you can borrow or buy for cheap.
You can find affordable gear on Amazon .
How to Find Lawn Care Clients in Your Neighborhood
Clients won’t come unless you let them know you’re open for business. Here's how to attract your first few lawn mowing jobs for teenagers.
🚪 Old-School Tactics Still Work:
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Door-to-door: Be polite, introduce yourself, and explain your service. A simple “Hi, I live nearby and I’m offering lawn care this summer!” works wonders.
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Flyers & business cards: Create a simple flyer with your name, contact, services, and prices. Post them at libraries, churches, coffee shops, or community bulletin boards.
📲 Go Digital:
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Facebook & Nextdoor: Post on local neighborhood groups offering your services. Share photos of your work.
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Google My Business (with a parent’s help): Set up a free listing if you're serious.
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WhatsApp or text blast: Let friends and family know you're open for business—they’ll spread the word.
🤝 Pro Tip: Ask satisfied customers for referrals. A simple “Know anyone else who needs yard work?” can double your client list.
Need help finding more side gigs in your area? Check out our guide to Best Local Services to Offer in Your Community.
How Much Should You Charge for Lawn Care Services?
Pricing smart is key to making money cutting grass. Here’s how to get it right.
🧾 Common Pricing Models:
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Per job: Flat fee based on lawn size. Simple and easy for both sides.
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Per hour: Great for large or complex jobs like weeding or full yard cleanups.
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Per week/month: Offer a discount for weekly customers to lock in consistent income.
💵 Average Rates Teens Can Charge in 2025:
| Lawn Size | Price (Teens) |
|---|---|
| Small lawn (under ¼ acre) | $20–$30 |
| Medium lawn (¼–½ acre) | $30–$45 |
| Large lawn (½ acre +) | $50+ |
| Add-ons (edging, leaf blowing) | $5–$15 extra |
💡 Tip: Offer bundles. Example: “Weekly mow + trim + blow for $40.”
Best Tools and Equipment for Teen Lawn Mowers
You don’t need pro-level gear to look professional. Start smart and upgrade as your business grows.
🔧 Best Lawn Equipment for Teens (Budget-Friendly Picks)
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Lawn Mower:
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Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO Electric Mower – Easy to push, low-maintenance, and quiet.
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Craftsman Gas Mower – Powerful, perfect for medium to large yards.
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Trimmers & Blowers:
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Extras:
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Safety goggles, ear protection, and water-resistant gloves
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Portable tool cart or a backpack for small tools
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Phone holder + notepad for scheduling
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🛍️ Browse more gear: Amazon's teen lawn equipment deals |
Tips to Keep Customers Happy and Coming Back
Customer service is what sets you apart from big landscaping companies.
🧡 Do This to Stand Out:
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Show up on time – Reliability wins repeat business.
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Dress the part – Clean clothes, safety gear, and no loud music.
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Do a final walk-through – Blow clippings, close gates, pick up tools.
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Offer helpful extras – Trim bushes or pull weeds if you have time.
💬 Stay in Touch:
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Send reminder texts the day before mowing.
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Offer rainy-day rescheduling.
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Ask for feedback and reviews.
💡 Pro Tip: Create a basic checklist so you never miss a step. Include mowing height, edging, blowing, and cleanup.
Need more tips on customer retention? Visit How to Build a Customer Base in Your Area.
Safety Tips and Legal Considerations for Teens
Lawn care might be low-tech, but safety and legality matter—especially for teens.
🚨 Stay Safe:
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Wear proper shoes (no sandals!)
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Don’t mow on steep hills or when grass is wet
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Use sunscreen and stay hydrated
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Never stick hands into mower blades—even when off
⚖️ Know the Rules:
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In most states, teens can start working independently at 14.
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Some cities may require a permit or have noise/time restrictions.
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Always talk to your parents first about insurance and permissions.
For full guidelines, visit the Youth Rules website.
How Much Can You Realistically Earn Cutting Lawns?
Let’s break it down:
🧮 Sample Income Estimate (Weekly):
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5 small yards @ $25 each = $125/week
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10 yards = $250/week
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10 weeks of summer = $2,500+
Add occasional clean-ups, flowerbed mulching, or hedge trimming and you could easily hit $3,000–$5,000 over one summer.
🎯 Want to turn it full-time? Team up with friends, offer more services, and grow into a seasonal business for students.
Inspiring Teen Success Stories in Lawn Care
🚀 Emily (17, Florida)
Started during lockdown. Now runs “Green Queens” with 2 friends. 40+ lawns weekly, over $8,000 earned last summer.
💡 Jake (15, Illinois)
Printed 50 flyers, handed them out at a farmers’ market, and gained 12 weekly customers within a month.
💪 Lucas (16, Michigan)
Started with a borrowed mower. Now has 3 pieces of equipment and a basic trailer. He's saving for a truck and plans to expand into snow removal.
🔥 Want more side hustle ideas? Read 20 Legit Side Hustles You Can Start Online Today.
Final Thoughts: Turn Grass into Green in 2025
If you’re a teen looking for a simple way to make money doing yard work, starting a lawn care side hustle might be the best decision you make this summer.
It teaches responsibility, builds real-world business skills, and gives you a taste of entrepreneurship with virtually no risk.
You’re not just cutting grass—you’re planting the seeds for your future.
💬 Are you a teen running your own lawn care gig?
Share your experience in the comments—or tag us on social with your success story! Let’s inspire the next generation of teen lawn care entrepreneurs.
🔗 Keep Learning:
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