Landscape Architects: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Landscape Architects fall under the Architecture and Engineering category in the U.S. occupational classification. Landscape Architects earn a median salary of $79,660 per year, ranking in the top 24% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.5% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do landscape architects earn?

The median annual wage for landscape architects is $79,660. That puts landscape architects at #195 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is landscape architects a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for landscape architects is +3.5%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 21K positions in 2024 to 22K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do landscape architects do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working landscape architects, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
2. 2.Integrate existing land features or landscaping into designs.
3. 3.Prepare graphic representations or drawings of proposed plans or designs.
4. 4.Create landscapes that minimize water consumption such as by incorporating drought-resistant grasses or indigenous plants.
5. 5.Develop planting plans to help clients garden productively or to achieve particular aesthetic effects.
6. 6.Manage the work of subcontractors to ensure quality control.
7. 7.Research latest products, technology, or design trends to stay current in the field.
8. 8.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.

Top skills for landscape architects

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become landscape architect?

The standard path into landscape architects begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Computer Hardware Engineers
  $155,020 median
• Petroleum Engineers
  $141,280 median
• Aerospace Engineers
  $134,830 median
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
  $127,590 median
• Nuclear Engineers
  $127,520 median
• Chemical Engineers
  $121,860 median

Common questions parents ask about landscape architects