Engineering and architecture
Landscape architect
Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.
Median pay
$79,870
Growth to 2035
+4%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
1,700
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Landscape architect
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Landscape architect: 65% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
- Analyze data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
- Inspect landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluate quality of materials or work, or advise clients or construction personnel.
- Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
- Integrate existing land features or landscaping into designs.
- Collaborate with architects or related professionals on whole building design to maximize the aesthetic features of structures or surrounding land and to improve energy efficiency.
- Prepare graphic representations or drawings of proposed plans or designs.
- Inspect proposed sites to identify structural elements of land areas or other important site information, such as soil condition, existing landscaping, or the proximity of water management facilities.
Also called: AP BD+C (Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction) · Golf Course Architect · Land Planner · Landscape Architect · Landscape Designer · Landscape Planner · Park Planner · Planner
Outlook and AI
Landscape architects held 23,500 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 24,500 by 2035 (+4%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Landscape architect vs. Architects, except landscape and naval
- Landscape architect vs. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
- Landscape architect vs. Architectural and civil drafters
- Landscape architect vs. Civil engineer
- Landscape architect vs. Business operations specialists, all other
- Landscape architect vs. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
- Landscape architect vs. Architecture teachers, postsecondary
- Landscape architect vs. Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- Landscape architect vs. Urban and regional planners
- Landscape architect vs. Construction manager