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Job outlook for landscape architects and planner in the United States
Landscape architect and planner job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected landscape architect and planner job growth rate is 0% from 2018-2028.
About 0 new jobs for landscape architects and planner are projected over the next decade.
Landscape architect and planner salaries have increased 11% for landscape architects and planner in the last 5 years.
There are over 5,590 landscape architects and planner currently employed in the United States.
There are 91,549 active landscape architect and planner job openings in the US.
The average landscape architect and planner salary is $68,583.
Are landscape architect and planner jobs in demand?
Landscape architect and planner job and salary trends over time
Landscape architect and planner jobs over time
Landscape architect and planner job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,590 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 6,648 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 6,504 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,984 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,106 | 0.00% |
Average landscape architect and planner salary over time
Landscape architect and planner salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $68,583 | $32.97 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $67,350 | $32.38 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $66,253 | $31.85 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | $63,854 | $30.70 | +3.6% |
| 2021 | $61,640 | $29.63 | --0.5% |
Landscape architect and planner jobs by state
Most common states for landscape architects and planner
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 155 | 22% |
| 2 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 221 | 21% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 125 | 20% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,261 | 18% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 551 | 18% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 132 | 17% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 938 | 15% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 837 | 15% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 542 | 15% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 204 | 15% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 140 | 15% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 974 | 13% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,552 | 12% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,262 | 12% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,040 | 12% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 666 | 12% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 122 | 12% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,376 | 11% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,143 | 11% |
| 20 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 783 | 11% |
Most common cities for landscape architects and planner
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelmsford | 1 | 3% | $77,397 |
| 2 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $84,770 |
| 3 | Sacramento | 1 | 0% | $89,726 |
| 4 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $90,511 |
Landscape Architect And Planner job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of landscape architect and planner experts
Missouri University of Science and Technology
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Truckee Meadows Community College
University Of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Catholic University of America
University at Buffalo – The State University of New York
University of California, Davis
Kansas State University
The Pennsylvania State University
Heath Pickerill PhD
Assistant Teaching ProfessorMissouri University of Science and Technology
Architectural Engineering
What Landscape Architect And Planner skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Heath Pickerill PhD: Being competent in CAD software, especially 3D modeling such as Revit, as well as demonstrating strong project management skills, which can be honed through leadership opportunities in professional organizations and design teams. Graduates should also understand the ethical implications and limitations of AI software in the production of written documents and basic design solutions.
What Landscape Architect And Planner skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Grant Mosey Ph.D.: I would advise architecture students to be as flexible as possible. While NAAB accredited schools award 6,000 to 7,000 professional degrees per year, NCARB states that fewer than 3,500 architects reach licensure each year. This suggests that many of those educated as architects are actually finding work in allied subjects. I know of many graduates who are set to become architects who end up becoming real estate professionals, construction professionals, policy-makers, academics, and more. Even for those dead set on architectural practice, these opportunities in adjacent fields can open doors to more design-focused practice.
What general advice would you give to a Landscape Architect And Planner?
Kreg Mebust: Climate change is at the forefront of many discussions, locally and nationally. Landscape
Architects can and do play a vital role in this discourse and outcomes. For example, they are trained to
mitigate the global rise in temperatures by analyzing and mitigating urban heat islands, selecting
appropriate drought resistant plants and trees and planning open spaces and parks for respite from the
heat allowing users to reconnect with nature's restorative qualities. In my position, as a professor
teaching the subject of landscape architecture, I have found that our next generation is concerned about
our environment and want to be a part of the solution.
What Landscape Architect And Planner skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kreg Mebust: While every job has its plusses and minuses, landscape architecture is not immune. Landscape
architects may often be frustrated when creating policy changes via city municipal codes are a lengthy
and time-consuming process. It is often said, that we plant a tree for the enjoyment of the next
generation, and while some solutions see results overnight, some require patience. As for the joy of
Landscape Architecture, it is a splendid combination of the creative and analytical sides of our brains.
As stated, we are graphic problem solvers. In my position, as a practicing landscape architect for more
than 35 years, it is rewarding to see a design vision come to fruition. It is meaningful to see a design
solution mitigate an environmental concern. In closing, design matters and should be enjoyed and
accessible by all. Conversely, our pool of Landscape Architects is coming from more diverse cultures and
backgrounds. A field once dominated by men, today more and more females can be found within the
profession.
What will help Landscape Architects And Planner increase their earning potential?
Kreg Mebust: At the core, Landscape Architects are graphic problem solvers. It is a licensed profession that
protects the health, safety, and welfare of citizens and provides stewardship of the environment. On a
daily bases, they can be found working on design problems that often include: the design of city and
neighborhood parks, parking lot layouts, reconfiguring topographical contours to safely move people
along sidewalks or along a backcountry trail, creating spatial experiences or places accessible to all
people using plant material, hardscapes, and outdoor furnishings. To ensure the success of these places
they analyze soils, select suitable plantings and design irrigation systems specific to each site. They are
aware of one of our most precious resources - water. Landscape Architects are trained to convey water
safely without causing soil erosion. They can be found evaluating the efficacy of bioretention swales
and mitigating sediment buildup in our waterways. In addition, Landscape Architects can be found
"knee-deep" in coordination meetings with clients and the many related design professionals such as
architects, civil engineers, geo-technical engineers, regulatory municipalities, etc. It is common to find a
landscape architect serving their community by joining community advisory boards, state regulatory
boards, home owners' associations, historical preservation committees, and volunteering to help write
the questions for the Landscape Architectural Registration Exam. For as much as Landscape architecture
is a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and health, welfare and safety discipline it is
creativity that brings many to the field. Landscape Architecture is a beautiful blend of science and art.
Many Landscape Architects are talented at hand sketching and computer graphic arts, while others use
their skills in the artful creation and implementation of our beloved 3-dimensional public art pieces that
help give our communities context and tie us together.
Dak Kopec Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Coordinator, BA Interior Architecture and Design and Master of Design ProgramUniversity Of Nevada, Las Vegas
School of Architecture
What experience really stands out on Landscape Architect And Planner resumes?
Dak Kopec Ph.D.: Experience in the areas where one intends to practice. If someone wants to work in hospitality design, an employer will see what kind of experience they have. This is why selecting one's internship location is so important.
Many employers are also looking to see how well the Interior Designer can think outside the box and develop innovative design ideas.
An area of specialized knowledge that will complement the existing design team. Most firms are looking for future leaders.
Robin Puttock
Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Visiting Assistant ProfessorThe Catholic University of America
School of Architecture and Planning
What general advice would you give to a Landscape Architect And Planner?
Robin Puttock: In addition to all of the above, I recommend students stay connected with their professors. Most of us have a vast network that we would love to invite you into. Often, an introduction is the pivotal component to a new opportunity. Relationships are key, especially when a recent graduate does not have significant professional experience. In addition, recent graduates should be sure to spend time on crafting their cover letters, their resumes, their work samples, and their portfolios. Make sure you are putting your best foot forward when an opportunity does arise.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Landscape Architects And Planner to find work opportunities?
Korydon Smith: Architectural work tends to be in population centers. Architectural practice has become globalized, where many firms work in multiple cities in the U.S. and abroad. Growth in mid- and large-sized cities in the U.S. will continue; likewise for Europe and Asia. Latin America and Africa are emergent markets.
What type of skills will young Landscape Architects And Planner need?
A. Haven Kiers: While technological competency and hands-on experience will always be in demand within the profession of landscape architecture, more than any technical skills, young graduates will need a positive attitude and the drive to succeed. Because of the pandemic, employers are looking for graduates willing to take the initiative and tackle new projects with confidence and self-sufficiency.
New employees should be willing to take risks, be adaptable, and execute every task they are given to the very best of their abilities (even the boring ones). When faced with a design problem, they need to be able to think creatively, establish a good rapport with the client or community, test (and retest) a range of solutions, and to be able to do so with elegance and style. Technical skills can be learned on the job - the right attitude cannot.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Landscape Architects And Planner to find work opportunities?
A. Haven Kiers: While the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Washington, DC, and New York City always have and will continue to top the lists of landscape architecture hotspots; cities in the pacific northwest like Portland and Seattle are the new rising stars, attracting recent graduates from all over the country. Other niche markets attracting landscape architecture firms include Minneapolis, MN, Charlottesville, VA, and Austin, TX.
How do you envision technology impacting Landscape Architects And Planner in the next 5 years?
A. Haven Kiers: Technology has and will continue to play a significant role in the field of landscape architecture. 3D modeling, drone technology, and geographic information systems are increasingly integrated into even the smallest projects. While it will always be necessary for a landscape architect to demonstrate a concept with a quick sketch drawn by hand, technology will remain the primary source of both visual and written communication for the profession in the coming years.
Fred Hasler
John W. & Dorothy M. Burke Architectural Engineering ChairKansas State University
Department Architectural Engineering and Construction Science
What experience really stands out on Landscape Architect And Planner resumes?
Fred Hasler: Far and away, the experience that stands out on our students' resumes is their summer internships, where they get to work on structural, mechanical, or electrical buildings systems design. We are fortunate that most of our students have multiple summer internships before they graduate. A recurring theme that we hear from our industry employers is that our faculty's extensive, across-the-board industry experience makes our students highly sought for internships, which places them in a better position to hit the ground running in their careers when they graduate.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Landscape Architects And Planner to find work opportunities?
Ross Weinreb: Not that I am aware of. Our Penn State graduates generally find work in the Northeast (Philadelphia, New York, etc.).