### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Landscape Architects Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			landscape architects imageLandscape architects plan and design land areas for parks, recreational facilities, and other open spaces.							
						Quick Facts:     Landscape Architects2023     Median Pay
            						$79,320     per year
										$38.13     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Internship/residencyNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    23,600Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    200What Landscape Architects Do
                                                
                        
                        
Landscape architects design parks and other outdoor spaces.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Landscape architects spend much of their time in offices, where they create designs, prepare models, and meet with clients. They spend the rest of their time at jobsites.
            
                                                How to Become a Landscape Architect
                                                
                        
All states require landscape architects to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state but usually include at least a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from an accredited school, internship experience, and passing the Landscape Architect Registration Examination.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for landscape architects was $79,320 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of landscape architects is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 1,800 openings for landscape architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for landscape architects.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of landscape architects with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about landscape architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Landscape Architects Do 
            

			Landscape architectsLandscape architects create graphic representations of plans.			
Landscape architects design parks and the outdoor spaces of campuses, recreational facilities, businesses, private homes, and other open spaces.
Duties
Landscape architects typically do the following:
Meet with clients, engineers, and building architects to understand the requirements of a project
Prepare site plans, specifications, and cost estimates
Coordinate the arrangement of existing and proposed land features and structures
Prepare graphic representations of plans using computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software
Select appropriate landscaping materials
Analyze environmental reports on land conditions, such as drainage and energy usage
Inspect landscape project progress to ensure that it adheres to plans
Seek new work through marketing activities or by giving presentationsLandscape architects design attractive and functional public parks, gardens, playgrounds, residential areas, college campuses, and public spaces. They also plan the locations of buildings, roads, walkways, flowers, shrubs, and trees within these environments. Landscape architects design these areas so that they are not only easy to use but also harmonious with the natural environment.
Landscape architects use various technologies in their work. For example, using CADD software, landscape architects prepare models of their proposed work. They present these models to clients for feedback and then prepare the final look of the project. Many landscape architects also use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) which offer GPS coordinates of different geographical features. This helps landscape architects design different environments by providing clues on where to start planning and how to anticipate future effects of the landscape, such as rainfall running into a valley.
The goals of landscape architects are to enhance the natural beauty of a space and foster environmental benefits. Landscape architects may plan the restoration of natural places that were changed by humans or nature, such as wetlands, streams, and mined areas. They also may design green roofs (roofs that are covered in soil and plants) or rooftop gardens that can retain storm water, absorb air pollution, and cool buildings while also providing pleasant scenery.
 Work Environment
			Landscape architectsLandscape architects may design gardens for resorts.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Landscape architects held about 23,600 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of landscape architects were as follows:
        Architectural, engineering, and related services
                45%Government
                8Construction
                2Retail trade
                1Landscape architects spend much of their time in offices, where they create plans and designs, prepare models and preliminary cost estimates, and meet with clients and workers involved in designing or planning a project. They spend the rest of their time at jobsites.
 How to Become a Landscape Architect

			Landscape architectsInterns are often supervised by more experienced landscape architects.			
Landscape architects usually need at least a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture and a state-issued license, which typically requires completion of an internship.
Education
Landscape architects typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in landscape architecture or a related field, such as architecture. There are two undergraduate landscape architect degrees: a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA). These programs usually require 4 to 5 years of study.
Accredited programs are approved by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB). Prospective landscape architects whose undergraduate degree is in another field may enroll in a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) graduate degree program, which typically takes 3 years of full-time study.
Courses typically include landscape design and construction, landscape ecology, and site design. Other relevant coursework may include history of landscape architecture, plant and soil science, and professional practice.
The design studio is a key component of any curriculum. When possible, students are assigned projects that offer hands-on experience. These projects allow students to work with computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), model building, and other design software.
Training
To become licensed, candidates must meet experience requirements determined by each state. A list of training requirements is available from the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards.
New hires awaiting licensure may be called intern landscape architects. Although duties vary with the type and size of the employing firm, interns typically must work under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect for the experience to count toward licensure. Potential landscape architects may benefit by completing an internship with a landscape architecture firm during educational studies. Interns may improve their technical skills and gain an understanding of the day-to-day operations of the business, including learning how to recruit clients, generate fees, and work within a budget.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All states require landscape architects to be licensed. Candidates for licensure must pass the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE), which is sponsored by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards.
Candidates who are interested in taking the exam usually need a degree from an accredited school and experience working under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect, although standards vary by state. For candidates without a degree in landscape architecture, many states offer alternative paths—which usually require more work experience—to qualify to take the LARE.
In addition to the LARE, some states have their own registration exam to test for competency on state-specific issues, such as earthquakes in California or hurricanes in Florida. State-specific exams may focus on laws, environmental regulations, plants, soils, climate, and other characteristics unique to the state.
Licensed landscape architects also may obtain voluntary certification from the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards, which might make it easier to get licensed in another state.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills*.** Landscape architects must understand how their designs will affect locations. When designing a building’s drainage system, for example, landscape architects must understand the interaction between the building and the surrounding land.
***Communication skills*.** Landscape architects share their ideas, both orally and in writing, with clients, other architects, and workers who help prepare drawings. Effective communication is essential to ensuring that the vision for a project gets translated into reality.
***Creativity*.** Landscape architects create the overall look of gardens, parks, and other outdoor areas. Their designs should be both pleasing to the eye and functional.
***Problem-solving skills*.** When designing outdoor spaces, landscape architects must be able to provide solutions to unanticipated challenges. These solutions often involve looking at challenges from different perspectives and providing the best recommendations.
***Technical skills*.** Landscape architects use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) programs to create representations of their projects. Some also must use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for their designs.
***Visualization skills*.** Landscape architects must be able to imagine how an overall outdoor space will look once completed.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Landscape ArchitectsMedian annual wages, May 2023Architects, surveyors, and cartographers$80,850  Landscape architects$79,320  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for landscape architects was $79,320 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,000, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $125,600.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for landscape architects in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Government
                $100,030Architectural, engineering, and related services
                78,720Construction
                62,840Retail trade
                55,280
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Landscape ArchitectsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Architects, surveyors, and cartographers4%  Total, all occupations3%  Landscape architects1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of landscape architects is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 1,800 openings for landscape architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Improving technologies are expected to increase landscape architects’ productivity, which should reduce overall demand for the occupation over the decade.
However, there will continue to be some need for these workers to plan and develop landscapes for commercial, industrial, and residential projects. Environmental concerns and efforts to conserve water and prevent waterway pollution also may create some demand for landscape architects.

			

                        Employment projections data for     landscape architects, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Landscape architects**
			17-1012
			23,600
			23,800
			1
			200
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Landscape architects **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of landscape architects. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Architects**
            Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.
            Bachelor's degree
            $93,310**Civil Engineers**
            Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.
            Bachelor's degree
            $95,890**Construction Managers**
            Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.
            Bachelor's degree
            $104,900**Environmental Scientists and Specialists**
            Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health.
            Bachelor's degree
            $78,980**Hydrologists**
            Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust.
            Bachelor's degree
            $88,770**Surveying and Mapping Technicians**
            Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth's surface.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $48,940**Surveyors**
            Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries.
            Bachelor's degree
            $68,540**Urban and Regional Planners**
            Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions.
            Master's degree
            $81,800**Drafters**
            Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings.
            Associate's degree
            $62,530**Interior Designers**
            Interior designers make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting essential and decorative items.
            Bachelor's degree
            $62,510
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information, including a list of colleges and universities offering accredited programs in landscape architecture, visit
American Society of Landscape Architects
For information on registration or licensing requirements, visit
Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards


                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Landscape Architects
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Landscape Architects, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/landscape-architects.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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