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Life As a Landscape Architect

Job Description & Duties Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.

Daily Life Of a Landscape Architect

  • Present project plans or designs to public stakeholders, such as government agencies or community groups.
  • Prepare conceptual drawings, graphics, or other visual representations of land areas to show predicted growth or development of land areas over time.
  • Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
  • Develop planting plans to help clients garden productively or to achieve particular aesthetic effects.
  • 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.
  • Collaborate with architects or related professionals on whole building design to maximize the aesthetic features of structures or surrounding land and to improve energy efficiency.

What a Landscape Architect Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Landscape Architects say are important on the job.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Types of Landscape Architect

  • Indoor Landscape Architect
  • Outdoor Landscape Architect
  • Golf Course Designer
  • Landscape Architect
  • Environmental Planner

Job Demand for Landscape Architects

In the United States, there were 24,700 jobs for Landscape Architect in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,600 new jobs for Landscape Architect by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,900 positions for Landscape Architect per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Landscape Architect are Alaska, Idaho, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Nevada, Montana, or District of Columbia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Landscape Architects Salary

The average yearly salary of a Landscape Architect ranges between $40,710 and $113,340.

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Landscape Architects who work in District of Columbia, California, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.

How much do Landscape Architects make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $66,030
Arizona $68,520
Arkansas $65,200
California $89,570
Colorado $70,640
Connecticut $87,660
District of Columbia $100,690
Florida $66,830
Georgia $68,250
Hawaii $75,300
Idaho $61,430
Illinois $71,760
Indiana $56,830
Iowa $58,600
Kansas $65,340
Kentucky $60,710
Louisiana $49,270
Maine $75,240
Maryland $73,880
Massachusetts $75,360
Minnesota $76,210
Mississippi $75,120
Missouri $76,740
Montana $60,220
Nebraska $58,450
Nevada $74,430
New Jersey $76,460
New Mexico $53,910
New York $82,510
North Carolina $78,610
North Dakota $62,830
Ohio $63,970
Oklahoma $52,790
Oregon $59,200
Pennsylvania $66,470
South Carolina $58,970
South Dakota $69,280
Tennessee $70,560
Texas $69,630
Utah $70,990
Vermont $60,910
Virginia $85,880
Washington $68,400
West Virginia $55,370
Wisconsin $58,380
Wyoming $79,650

What Tools do Landscape Architects Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Landscape Architects may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Project
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
  • Bentley Microstation
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Trimble SketchUp Pro
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
  • Desktop publishing software

How to Become a Landscape Architect

Individuals working as a Landscape Architect have obtained the following education levels:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Landscape Architects?

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Landscape Architects work in the following industries:

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those thinking about becoming a Landscape Architect might also be interested in the following careers:

References:

Image Credit: La Citta Vita via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

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