Compare PEO costs vs managing HR in-house for your landscaping business. Calculate real ROI including hidden savings from reduced turnover, compliance protection, and group purchasing power.
Landscaping Industry Benchmarks
Avg Salary
$38,000/yr
Avg WC Rate
$9.5/100 payroll
Avg Turnover
65%
Typical PEO Fee
$175 PEPM
HR Complexity
Medium
Compliance Risk
High
1
Your Business
Tell us about your landscaping business so we can estimate PEO costs using industry-specific benchmarks.
Average salary: $38,000/year
2
Current HR Costs
Enter your current HR-related costs. We'll compare your total in-house spend to what a PEO arrangement would cost for a landscaping business.
10h
3
PEO Model
Configure the PEO arrangement to see how it compares to your current in-house costs.
$175
Built on Real Industry Data -- Not Guesswork
This tool uses verified benchmarks from leading industry sources, calibrated to 2026 market conditions.
📊
NAPEO Industry Data
National Association of Professional Employer Organizations -- the authoritative source for PEO cost and performance benchmarks
💰
BLS Employment Data
Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, turnover, and HR staffing benchmarks across 20+ industry sectors
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SHRM HR Benchmarks
Society for Human Resource Management cost-per-hire, HR ratios, and compliance cost surveys
📉
NCCI Workers' Comp
National Council on Compensation Insurance class codes, rate data, and experience modification factors
Calculation Methodology
Current Cost Calculation: We sum all direct HR costs (staff compensation, payroll processing, workers' comp, health benefits, compliance, EPLI, recruiting) plus the opportunity cost of owner time spent on HR activities (valued at $75/hour).
PEO Cost Calculation: PEO admin fee x employees x 12 months, plus adjusted health benefits cost (reduced by 14% through PEO group purchasing), plus adjusted workers' comp (reduced by 38% through PEO pooled programs).
Hidden Savings: We calculate additional PEO value from: (1) Turnover reduction -- PEO clients average 10-14% lower turnover (NAPEO data), valued at the industry-specific replacement cost; (2) Compliance penalty avoidance -- estimated at $3,500/year average for the landscaping industry; (3) EPLI coverage value -- typically $3,000-$8,000/year when purchased separately.
Limitations: Actual PEO costs vary by provider, location, and specific services included. This calculator provides estimates based on industry averages. Request actual PEO quotes for accurate pricing.
Want Actual PEO Quotes for Your Landscaping Business?
Get 3-5 competitive PEO proposals tailored to your landscaping company -- reviewed by a PEO specialist.
Why Landscaping Businesses Use PEOs
Landscaping businesses face some of the highest workers' compensation costs at $9.50 per $100 of payroll, driven by the physical nature of the work, equipment hazards, and outdoor environmental risks. PEOs provide exceptional value here, reducing WC costs by 38% -- among the highest savings of any industry.
Seasonal workforce management, including H-2B visa workers, creates complex compliance requirements around immigration documentation, housing, transportation, and wage rates. PEOs with landscaping experience handle these specialized requirements.
High turnover (65%) and seasonal employment patterns make benefits administration challenging. PEOs provide systems for managing eligibility during seasonal fluctuations and help landscaping companies offer year-round benefits that improve retention.
OSHA heat illness prevention standards are critical for landscaping workers. Recent OSHA enforcement priorities have increased scrutiny of outdoor work practices, water and shade requirements, and acclimatization protocols. PEOs provide heat illness prevention programs and training to reduce both compliance risk and workplace injuries.
Landscaping runs a seasonal, largely hourly workforce with real workers compensation exposure. A PEO handles payroll, benefits, workers comp, and HR compliance, and gives crews access to large-group benefits that help anchor the skilled people who return season after season.
PEOs price as a percentage of payroll or a flat per-employee-per-month fee. This calculator estimates the cost against your headcount and payroll so you can compare it to in-house seasonal HR administration.
Yes, and it can simplify the heavy onboarding and offboarding that seasonal work creates while managing workers comp. The calculator estimates the cost.
How is PEO cost structured?
As a percentage of payroll or a flat per-employee-per-month fee.
Can it help retain crew?
By giving access to stronger benefits that help anchor skilled, returning crew members.
Reviewed by Sam Newland, CFP, Founder of Benefitra. Last updated June 2026.
