More than 26 percent of all landscape architects are self-employed—more than 3 times the proportion for all professionals.
A bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture is the minimum requirement for entry-level jobs; many employers prefer to hire landscape architects who also have completed at least one internship.
Landscape architect jobs are expected to increase due to a growing demand for incorporating natural elements into man-made environments, along with the need to meet a wide array of environmental restrictions.
Everyone enjoys attractively designed residential areas, public parks and playgrounds, college campuses,
shopping centers, golf courses, parkways, and industrial parks. Landscape architects design these
areas so that they are not only functional, but also beautiful, and compatible with the natural environment.
They plan the location of buildings, roads, and walkways, and the arrangement of flowers, shrubs, and trees.
Landscape architects work for many types of organizations—from real estate development firms starting
new projects to municipalities constructing airports or parks—and they often are involved with the
development of a site from its conception. Working with architects, surveyors, and engineers, landscape
architects help determine the best arrangement of roads and buildings. They also collaborate with environmental
scientists, foresters, and other professionals to find the best way to conserve or restore natural resources.
Once these decisions are made, landscape architects create detailed plans indicating new topography, vegetation,
walkways, and other landscaping details, such as fountains and decorative features.
In planning a site, landscape architects first consider the nature and purpose of the project and
the funds available. They analyze the natural elements of the site, such as the climate, soil, slope
of the land, drainage, and vegetation; observe where sunlight falls on the site at different times of
the day and examine the site from various angles; and assess the effect of existing buildings, roads,
walkways, and utilities on the project.
After studying and analyzing the site, landscape architects prepare a preliminary design. To account
for the needs of the client as well as the conditions at the site, they frequently make changes before a
final design is approved. They also take into account any local, State, or Federal regulations, such as
those protecting wetlands or historic resources. In preparing designs, computer-aided design (CAD) has
become an essential tool for most landscape architects. Many landscape architects also use video simulation
to help clients envision the proposed ideas and plans. For larger scale site planning, landscape architects
also use geographic information systems technology, a computer mapping system.
Throughout all phases of the planning and design, landscape architects consult with other professionals,
such as civil engineers, hydrologists, or architects, involved in the project. Once the design is complete,
they prepare a proposal for the client. They produce detailed plans of the site, including written reports,
sketches, models, photographs, land-use studies, and cost estimates, and submit them for approval by the client
and by regulatory agencies. When the plans are approved, landscape architects prepare working drawings showing
all existing and proposed features. They also outline in detail the methods of construction and draw up a
list of necessary materials. Landscape architects then mainly monitor the implementation of their design,
with general contractors or landscape contractors usually directing the actual
construction of the site and installation of plantings.
Some landscape architects work on a variety of projects. Others specialize in a particular area, such as
residential development, street and highway beautification, waterfront improvement projects, parks and
playgrounds, or shopping centers. Still others work in regional planning and resource management;
feasibility, environmental impact, and cost studies; or site construction. Increasingly, landscape
architects are becoming involved with projects in environmental remediation, such as preservation and
restoration of wetlands or abatement of stormwater run-off in new developments. Historic landscape
preservation and restoration is another important area where landscape architects are increasingly playing an important role.
Most landscape architects do at least some residential work, but relatively few limit
their practice to individual homeowners. Residential landscape design projects usually are too
small to provide suitable income compared with larger commercial or multiunit residential projects.
Some nurseries offer residential landscape design services, but these services often are performed by
design professionals with fewer formal credentials such as landscape designers, or
by others with training and experience in related areas.
Landscape architects who work for government agencies do site and landscape design for government
buildings, parks, and other public lands, as well as park and recreation planning in national
parks and forests. In addition, they prepare environmental impact statements and studies on
environmental issues such as public land-use planning. Some restore degraded land, such as mines or
landfills. Other landscape architects use their skills in traffic-calming, the “art” of slowing traffic
down through use of traffic design, enhancement of the physical environment, and greater attention to aesthetics.
Landscape architects spend most of their time in offices creating plans and designs, preparing models
and cost estimates, doing research, or attending meetings with clients and other professionals involved
in a design or planning project. The remainder of their time is spent at the site. During the design
and planning stage, landscape architects visit and analyze the site to verify that the design can be
incorporated into the landscape. After the plans and specifications are completed, they may spend
additional time at the site observing or supervising the construction. Those who work in large national
or regional firms may spend considerably more time out of the office traveling to sites away from the local area.
Salaried employees in both government and landscape architectural firms usually work regular hours; however,
they may work overtime to meet a project deadline. Hours of self-employed landscape architects vary
depending on the demands of the projects on which they are working.
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape architecture usually is necessary for entry into the profession.
A bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture takes 4 or 5 years to complete. There also are two types of
accredited master’s degree programs. The most common type of master’s degree is a 3-year first professional
degree program designed for students with an undergraduate degree in another discipline. The second type of
master’s degree is a 2-year second professional degree program for students who have a bachelor’s degree in
landscape architecture and who wish to teach or specialize in some aspect of landscape architecture, such as
regional planning or golf course design.
In 2004, 59 colleges and universities offered 77 undergraduate and graduate programs in landscape
architecture that were accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American
Society of Landscape Architects. College courses required in these programs usually include
technical subjects such as surveying, landscape design and construction, landscape ecology, site
design, and urban and regional planning. Other courses include history of landscape architecture,
plant and soil science, geology, professional practice, and general management. The design studio
is another important aspect of many landscape architecture curriculums. Whenever possible, students
are assigned real projects, providing them with valuable hands-on experience. While working on these
projects, students become more proficient in the use of computer-aided design, geographic information
systems, and video simulation.
In 2004, 47 States required landscape architects to be licensed or
registered. Licensing is based on the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.),
sponsored by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards and administered in two
portions, graphic and multiple choice. Each portion of the testing is conducted over two days.
Admission to the exam usually requires a degree from an accredited school plus 1 to 4 years of work
experience under the supervision of a registered landscape architect, although standards vary from
State to State. Currently, 14 States require that a State examination be passed in addition to the
L.A.R.E. to satisfy registration requirements. State examinations, which usually are 1 hour in
length and completed at the end of the L.A.R.E., focus on laws, environmental regulations, plants,
soils, climate, and any other characteristics unique to the State.
Because State requirements for licensure are not uniform, landscape architects may not find it easy to
transfer their registration from one State to another. However, those who meet the national standards of
graduating from an accredited program, serving 3 years of internship under the supervision of a registered
landscape architect, and passing the L.A.R.E. can satisfy requirements in most States. Through this means,
a landscape architect can obtain certification from the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration
Boards, and so gain reciprocity (the right to work) in other States.
In the Federal Government, candidates for entry positions should have a bachelor’s or master’s
degree in landscape architecture. The Federal Government does not require its landscape architects to be licensed.
Persons planning a career in landscape architecture should appreciate nature, enjoy working with
their hands, and possess strong analytical skills. Creative vision and artistic talent also are
desirable qualities. Good oral communication skills are essential; landscape architects must be
able to convey their ideas to other professionals and clients, and to make presentations before
large groups. Strong writing skills also are valuable, as is knowledge of computer applications
of all kinds, including word processing, desktop publishing, and spreadsheets. Landscape architects
use these tools to develop presentations, proposals, reports, and land impact studies for clients,
colleagues, and superiors. The ability to draft and design using CAD software is essential. Many
employers recommend that prospective landscape architects complete at least one summer internship
with a landscape architecture firm in order to gain an understanding of the day-to-day operations
of a small business, including how to win clients, generate fees, and work within a budget.
In States where licensure is required, new hires may be called “apprentices” or “intern landscape architects” until
they become licensed. Their duties vary depending on the type and size of the employing firm.
They may do project research or prepare working drawings, construction documents, or base maps of
the area to be landscaped. Some are allowed to participate in the actual design of a project.
However, interns must perform all work under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect.
Additionally, all drawings and specifications must be signed and sealed by the licensed landscape
architect, who takes legal responsibility for the work. After gaining experience and becoming licensed,
landscape architects usually can carry a design through all stages of development. After several years,
they may become project managers, taking on the responsibility for meeting schedules and budgets, in addition
to overseeing the project design. Later, they may become associates or
partners of a firm, with a proprietary interest in the business.
Many landscape architects are self-employed because start-up costs, after an initial investment in
CAD software, are relatively low. Self-discipline, business acumen, and good marketing skills are
important qualities for those who choose to open their own business. Even with these qualities,
however, some may struggle while building a client base.
Those with landscape architecture training also qualify for jobs closely related to landscape
architecture, and may, after gaining some experience, become construction supervisors, land or
environmental planners, or landscape consultants.
Landscape architects held about 25,000 jobs in 2004. Almost 6 out of 10 workers were employed in
firms that provide architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, and landscaping services.
State and local governments were the next largest employers.
About 1 out of 4 landscape architects was self-employed.
Employment of landscape architects is concentrated in urban and suburban areas throughout
the country; some landscape architects work in rural areas, particularly those employed by
the Federal Government to plan and design parks and recreation areas.
Employment of landscape architects is expected to increase faster than the average
for all occupations through the year 2014. In addition to growth, the need to replace landscape architects who
retire or leave the labor force will produce some additional job openings. Employment will grow because
the expertise of landscape architects will be highly sought after in the planning and development of
new residential, commercial, and other types of construction to meet the needs of a growing population.
With land costs rising and the public desiring more beautiful spaces, the importance of good site
planning and landscape design is growing. In addition, new demands to manage stormwater run-off
in both existing and new landscapes, combined with the growing need to manage water resources in
the Western States, should cause increased demand for this occupation’s services.
New construction also is increasingly contingent upon compliance with environmental regulations,
zoning laws, and water restrictions, which will spur demand for landscape architects to help plan
sites that meet these requirements and integrate new structures with the natural environment in
the least disruptive way. Landscape architects also will be increasingly involved in preserving
and restoring wetlands and other environmentally sensitive sites.
Continuation of the Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty-First Century also is expected to
spur employment for landscape architects, particularly through State and local governments.
This Act, known as TEA-21, provides funds for surface transportation and transit programs,
such as interstate highway construction and maintenance, and environment-friendly pedestrian and bicycle trails.
In addition to the work related to new development and construction, landscape architects are expected to
be involved in historic preservation, land reclamation, and refurbishment of existing sites.
They are also doing more residential design work as households spend more on landscaping than in the past.
Because landscape architects can work on many different types of projects, they may have an easier time than
other design professionals finding employment when traditional construction slows down. Opportunities will
vary from year to year, and by geographic region, depending on local economic conditions. During a recession,
when real estate sales and construction slow down, landscape architects may face greater competition for jobs and sometimes layoffs.
New graduates can expect to face competition for jobs in the largest and most prestigious
landscape architecture firms, but should face good job opportunities overall as demand increases,
while the number of graduates of landscape architecture holds steady or only goes up slightly.
Opportunities will be best for landscape architects who develop strong technical skills—such as computer design—and
communication skills, as well as knowledge of environmental codes and regulations.
Those with additional training or experience in urban planning increase their opportunities for employment in
landscape architecture firms that specialize in site planning as well as landscape design. Many employers
prefer to hire entry-level landscape architects who have internship experience, which significantly reduces
the amount of on-the-job training required.
In May 2004, median annual earnings for landscape architects were $53,120.
The middle 50 percent earned between $40,930 and $70,400. The lowest 10 percent
earned less than $32,390 and the highest 10 percent earned over $90,850. Architectural,
engineering, and related services employed more landscape architects than any other group of
industries, and there the median annual earnings were $51,670 in May 2004.
In 2005, the average annual salary for all landscape architects in the Federal Government in
nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions was $74,508.
Because many landscape architects work for small firms or are self-employed,
benefits tend to be less generous than those provided to workers in large organizations.
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition,
Landscape Architects, on the Internet at
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos039.htm
(visited June 21, 2006).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
Suite 2135
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20212-0001
