Landscape Architecture is a hybrid profession that involves both art and science, requiring landscape architects to have a strong foundation in both design and construction techniques. The job of a landscape architect consists of identifying and resolving problems such as erosion, inadequate lighting, and physical barriers such as fences or walls that block visibility.
Landscape architects are already having a difficult time finding work and it doesn’t look like things will get any better for the industry in the future. The average starting salary for landscape architects is currently $34,800, with annual growth projected at 4%. Landscape architects who have completed their studies and obtained their degree can expect to earn between $45,000 and $73,000 per year.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that landscape architects had a median income of $69,360 in May 2019 (www.bls.gov). If you were in the top ten percent of workers, you earned $112,290 or more a year. The lowest ten percent earned $42,320 or less per year. Salary can vary by location, industry and experience. The BLS also reported that employment rate in this field was expected to decline by 2% from 2019-2029.
Starting Salary For Landscape Architects Overview
If you’re looking to become a landscape architect, you’re in luck. The field is growing rapidly and there are plenty of opportunities for new graduates to enter the workforce. If you’re interested in these opportunities, keep reading!
If you’re wondering what the average starting salary for landscape architects near Nigeria or Lagos, it’s easy to find out. Just hop on over to Glassdoor and check out their listings!
As a landscape architect, you’ll be responsible for creating designs that meet the needs of a client while also maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the property. You’ll need to be able to work with clients and other architects, as well as understand how to use CAD software and tools like laser levels.
You’ll also find information about how much does a landscape architect make per hour and how much do landscape architects make per month.
who is a Landscape Architects
Landscape architects are professionals who plan, design, and oversee the development of a wide range of external spaces. As a landscape architect, you must combine both practicality and artistic skills to make sure the landscape is functional and beautiful. Oftentimes, you will need to work in a team with other building professionals. You must analyze environmental reports that are complex and use gained knowledge in plans or designs. In addition, you must also provide recommendations concerning sustainability and conservation issues. Also, you are responsible for writing proposals, presenting them to customers as well as drawing up contracts and reports. Furthermore, it is also one of your responsibilities to liaise with other architects, surveyors, project managers, and engineers.
To be a successful landscape architect, you must possess problem-solving skills, communication skills, and analytical skills. Educationally, you must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in either landscape architecture, business, or architecture. As a landscape architect, you will earn an average salary of $58,134 per year.
How To Become a Landscape Architect
All states except for Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, and Washington, D.C. require landscape architects to have a license. In addition, all 50 states (but not Washington, D.C.) require applicants to be licensed before they can use the title “landscape architect” while soliciting business. Licensing requirements vary among states, but usually include a degree in landscape architecture from an accredited school, internship experience, and passing the Landscape Architect Registration Examination.
Education
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape architecture usually is necessary for entry into the profession. There are two undergraduate landscape architect professional 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). Those with an undergraduate degree in a field other than landscape architecture may enroll in a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) graduate degree program, which typically takes 3 years of full-time study.
Courses typically include surveying, landscape design and construction, landscape ecology, site design, and urban and regional planning. Other relevant coursework may include history of landscape architecture, plant and soil science, geology, professional practice, and general management.
The design studio is a key component of any curriculum. Whenever possible, students are assigned real projects, providing them with valuable hands-on experience. While working on these projects, students become proficient in the use of computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), model building, and other design software.
Training
In order to become licensed, candidates must meet experience requirements determined by each state. A list of training requirements can be found at the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards.
New hires are called intern landscape architects until they become licensed. 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. In addition, all drawings and specifications must be signed and sealed by the licensed landscape architect.
Potential prospects 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, except for Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, and Washington, D.C., require landscape architects to be licensed in order to practice. In addition, all 50 states (but not Washington, D.C.) require applicants to be licensed before they can use the title “landscape architect” while soliciting business. Licensing is based on candidates passing 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 several years of work experience under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect, although standards vary by state. For those without an accredited landscape architecture degree, many states provide alternative paths to qualify to take the LARE, which usually require more work experience.
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.
Because requirements for licensure vary, landscape architects may find it difficult to transfer their registration from one state to another. Common requirements include graduating from an accredited program, completing several years of an internship under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect, and passing the LARE. By meeting national requirements, a landscape architect may also obtain certification from the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards, which may be useful in getting a license in another state.Important Qualities
Analytical skills. Landscape architects must understand the content of designs. When designing a building’s drainage system, for example, landscape architects must understand how the building’s location and surrounding land affect each other.
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.
Landscape Architect Salaries
The median annual wage for landscape architects is $67,950. 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 $43,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $115,380.
The median annual wages for landscape architects in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Government | $99,240 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | $75,260 |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | $58,610 |
| Construction | $49,440 |
Agencies that have hired a Landscape Architect
| Agency | Employees Hired | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| National Park Service | 152 | $100,457.98 |
| Forest Service | 65 | $90,284.74 |
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | 4 | $111,404.25 |
| National Cemetery Administration | 4 | $128,871.00 |
| Natural Resources Conservation Service | 3 | $102,465.00 |
| Bureau of Land Management | 2 | $103,579.00 |
| Office of the Secretary (Department of Veterans Affairs) | 2 | $157,927.00 |
| Public Buildings Service | 2 | $138,742.00 |
| Smithsonian Institution (Exchange Sep Boards of Trust) | 2 | $103,950.00 |
| Bureau of Reclamation | 1 | $86,403.00 |
ta comes from anonymous users who have shared their salaries with the public. As always, keep in mind that these numbers may vary depending on where you live (and other factors).
