Working as a landscape architect can be very rewarding but it is not an easy career choice. It takes years of studying, to become an expert in multiple areas. Before you receive your degree, you will need to choose the city that you want to make your home. You will then need to find a job that pairs well with your degree and interests. It has never been easy to figure out what the average salary for this type of job is. That is why we have taken the time to research several types of jobs that a landscape architect is also qualified for.
What is the average salary for a landscape architect? This depends on which country you mean and what area you refer to. Landscape architects usually charge a fee per square foot, but it’s not just the size of a space they will be redesigning that determines their fees. They may also have to consult with other professionals during the process, such as urban planners and structural and landscaping engineers. In this article we’ll discuss how much does a landscape architect make per hour, how to become a landscape architect.
What is the average salary for a landscape architect
Do you enjoy the outdoors? Do you love architecture? If so, a career as a landscape architect may be perfect for you. Landscape architects design parks, gardens, campuses, residential areas, and more. The job is very versatile and allows for creativity.
How much does a landscape architect make?
The average salary for a landscape architect is $72,000.
If you’re wondering what the median salary is for this profession, it’s around $72,000 too.
Landscape architects make more than most other jobs in the United States; their average salary ranks among the highest in the country at $72,000 per year and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
how much does a landscape architect make per hour
As of Oct 26, 2022, the average annual pay for a Landscape Architecture in the United States is $72,243 a year.
Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $34.73 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,389/week or $6,020/month.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $144,500 and as low as $23,500, the majority of Landscape Architecture salaries currently range between $47,500 (25th percentile) to $88,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $114,000 annually across the United States. The average pay range for a Landscape Architecture varies greatly (by as much as $40,500), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Landscape Architecture job market in both Lagos, NG and throughout the entire state of is not very active as few companies are currently hiring. A Landscape Architecture in your area makes on average $70,714 per year, or $1,529 (2%) less than the national average annual salary of $72,243. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for Landscape Architecture salaries.
To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for Landscape Architecture jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.
Find your next high paying job as a Landscape Architecture on ZipRecruiter today.
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Landscape Architecture Jobs
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Landscape Architecture job is above the national average. Topping the list is Atkinson, NE, with Frankston, TX and Barnstable Town, MA close behind in the second and third positions. Barnstable Town, MA beats the national average by $14,227 (19.7%), and Atkinson, NE furthers that trend with another $20,816 (28.8%) above the $72,243 average.
With these 10 cities having average salaries higher than the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Landscape Architecture appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top ten cities varies very little at 14% between Atkinson, NE and Cambridge, MA, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for a Landscape Architecture role.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atkinson, NE | $93,059 | $7,754 | $1,789 | $44.74 |
| Frankston, TX | $87,768 | $7,314 | $1,687 | $42.20 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $86,470 | $7,205 | $1,662 | $41.57 |
| Inverness, CA | $85,842 | $7,153 | $1,650 | $41.27 |
| Dimondale, MI | $83,308 | $6,942 | $1,602 | $40.05 |
| Manhattan, NY | $82,652 | $6,887 | $1,589 | $39.74 |
| Hooper Bay, AK | $82,631 | $6,885 | $1,589 | $39.73 |
| Potomac Heights, MD | $80,586 | $6,715 | $1,549 | $38.74 |
| Skyline-Ganipa, NM | $80,232 | $6,686 | $1,542 | $38.57 |
| Cambridge, MA | $80,218 | $6,684 | $1,542 | $38.57 |
What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Landscape Architecture Jobs in the U.S.
We found at least five jobs related to the Landscape Architecture job category that pay more per year than a typical Landscape Architecture salary. Top examples of these roles include: Landscape Architect Engineer, Architect Planner, and City Architect.
Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $11,412 (15.8%) and $26,794 (37.1%) more than the average Landscape Architecture salary of $72,243. If you’re qualified, getting hired for one of these related Landscape Architecture jobs may help you make more money than that of the average Landscape Architecture position.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape Architect Engineer | $99,037 | $8,253 | $1,904 | $47.61 |
| Architect Planner | $96,964 | $8,080 | $1,864 | $46.62 |
| City Architect | $92,210 | $7,684 | $1,773 | $44.33 |
| Urban Design Architect | $85,235 | $7,102 | $1,639 | $40.98 |
| Principal Landscape Architect | $83,655 | $6,971 | $1,608 | $40.22 |
how to become a landscape architect
A landscape architect designs, plans and manages man-made and natural environments to create innovative areas, wildlife habitats, thriving communities and sustainable infrastructure. The main disciplines of landscape design include urban design, landscape planning, landscape management, landscape academia. A well-trained landscape architect uses a combination of art and design skills to generate creative solutions for urban and natural areas. The landscape architect considers political, cultural, social and economic factors when planning designs. Specific responsibilities of a landscape architect include:
- Preparing site plans, cost estimates and specifications
- Meeting with engineers, clients and building architects to gauge project requirements
- Preparing visual representations of future projects using computer-aided drafting and design software
- Identifying and selecting appropriate landscaping tools and materials
- Analyzing environmental reports on land conditions such as drainage and energy usage
- Inspecting landscape progress to ensure it meets the project design
- Marketing and presentations to obtain new clients
A landscape architect may design spaces such as:
- Parks
- College campuses
- Recreational facilities
- Businesses
- Private homes
- Gardens
Average salary of landscape architects
Landscape architects may be self-employed or work for the government, or they may work for services in landscaping, architecture or engineering. The average salary for landscape architects varies based on level of expertise, industry and geographical location.
Common average salary in the U.S.: $64,757 per year (as of November 2019)
Salaries range from $20,000 to $134,000 per year.
Steps to becoming a landscape architect
If you’re interested in becoming a landscape architect, follow these steps:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Pursue an internship.
- Obtain a license.
- Consider advanced education.
- Join a professional organization.
1. Complete a bachelor’s degree
You must have a bachelor’s degree to meet the minimum requirements to become a landscape architect. You may choose from two undergraduate landscape architect degrees: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture or BLA, and Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture or BSLA. Make sure the program is accredited and approved by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board.
Landscape architect students take courses such as landscape ecology, site design, landscape design and construction. Other coursework may include professional practice, history of landscape architecture, and plant and soil science.
Students are often assigned projects that offer hands-on experience with model building, computer design software and other useful software. This degree typically takes about four to five years to complete.
2. Pursue an internship
Internship experience is typically required before you can obtain a license in landscape architecture. You can complete an internship during your educational studies, or you can wait until your education is complete and pursue a job as a trainee or intern landscape architect.
During your internship, you will work under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect and learn to improve your technical skills. You’ll gain an understanding of the day-to-day operations in landscape architecture, including working within a budget, recruiting clients and charging necessary fees. Each landscape architect intern may learn different tasks depending on the size and type of the firm.
3. Obtain a license
Most states require landscape architects to be licensed. Prospective landscape architects must pass the LARE or Landscape Architect Registration Examination, which is administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards. Individuals who wish to take the exam are required to have a degree from an accredited program and internship experience working under a licensed landscape architect.
Standards for the examination vary state by state. Some may have state-specific competency exams based on characteristics that are unique to each state, such as earthquakes in California or hurricanes in Florida.
4. Consider advanced education
You may consider obtaining a master’s degree in landscape architecture to further your knowledge and understanding of landscape design, theory and history. Although a master’s in landscape architecture is not required before you begin working in this role, it may boost your employability and increase your earning potential.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture is not required before you enter this master’s program. If you obtained your bachelor’s degree in another subject, you will have to meet the necessary course requirements to fulfill your master’s degree.
The program takes three years or more without a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture and two years with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture. Students who enter this program may choose an area of concentration, like heritage conservation or site planning.
5. Join a professional organization
To network and establish yourself as an expert in your career, you may consider enrolling in one of the popular professional organizations for landscape architects. These organizations are:
The American Society of Landscape Architects
ASLA represents landscape architecture in the United States and is dedicated to education, advancing knowledge and broadening the skill set of landscape architects. The society offers continuing education classes to assist landscape architects with maintaining licensing requirements.
The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture
CELA provides opportunities for communication and personal interaction between landscape architecture educators, practitioners and students through annual conferences, publications and regional meetings.
