Landscape Architect vs. Landscape Designer

A landscape architect is someone who works on large landscaping projects, while a landscape designer is someone who tends to work on smaller landscaping projects. A landscape architect is knowledgeable on issues such as grading, construction of structures, and drainage. They work on many large scale landscaping projects in public and private spaces. These may include environments like a public park or a commercial building's garden or atrium. They plan, design, and execute a landscape plan for these large spaces and manage a team that helps with the labor.

What companies hire landscape architects?

Companies in landscape design, retail, and hospitality hire landscape architects. Typically, landscape architects are expected to hold at least a bachelor's degree in a related field and have experience before beginning work.

How To Become A Landscape Architect: What It Is and Career Path

What is a landscape architect and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Robin Puttock

Landscape architects are professionals who plan, design, and oversee the development of a wide range of external spaces. As a landscape architect, you must combine both practicality and artistic skills to make sure the landscape is functional and beautiful. Oftentimes, you will need to work in a team with other building professionals. You must analyze environmental reports that are complex and use gained knowledge in plans or designs. In addition, you must also provide recommendations concerning sustainability and conservation issues. Also, you are responsible for writing proposals, presenting them to customers as well as drawing up contracts and reports. Furthermore, it is also one of your responsibilities to liaise with other architects, surveyors, project managers, and engineers.

To be a successful landscape architect, you must possess problem-solving skills, communication skills, and analytical skills. Educationally, you must hold at least a bachelor's degree in either landscape architecture, business, or architecture. As a landscape architect, you will earn an average salary of $58,134 per year.

What general advice would you give to a landscape architect?

Robin Puttock

Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Visiting Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America

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.

ScoreLandscape ArchitectUS Average

Salary

4.9

Avg. Salary $62,379

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

4.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%

Asian 5.21%

Black or African American 0.40%

Hispanic or Latino 5.81%

Unknown 3.41%

White 84.96%

Gender

female 24.50%

male 75.50%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

5.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a landscape architect

Explore landscape architect education requirements

Most common landscape architect degrees

Bachelor's

72.5 %

Master's

13.6 %

Associate

6.3 %

Start to develop specific landscape architect skills

Skills	Percentages
Cost Estimates	13.37%
SketchUp	9.46%
Site Analysis	9.36%
Landscape Design	9.07%
Site Inventory	7.43%

Complete relevant landscape architect training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New landscape architects learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a landscape architect based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real landscape architect resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed landscape architect usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed landscape architect in most of states. 45 states require landscape architects to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	Degree required	Both state and third-party exams required	Licensed Landscape Architect
Alaska	-	Third-party exam required	Architect
Arkansas	-	State exam required	Architect
California	-	Both state and third-party exams required	Landscape Architect, Licensed
Colorado	-	Third-party exam required	Landscape Architects

Research landscape architect duties and responsibilities

Manage streetscape improvement program and implement urban forestry programs.
Manage technical architects for development and support of existing and new terminal platforms to support Walmart mobile and batch application infrastructure.
Supervise teams of consultants including structural, civil, and MEP engineers and lighting, leer, code & waterproofing consultants.
Respond to incoming RFI's.

Prepare your landscape architect resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your landscape architect resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a landscape architect resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable landscape architect resume templates

Build a professional landscape architect resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your landscape architect resume.

Apply for landscape architect jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a landscape architect job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first landscape architect job

Andrea Prsha

Landscape Architect

So, when I finished high school (languages), I heard from my mom, who is an ordinary architect, that there's a cool study named Landscape architecture. At that time I didn't know for what does that name stand and what do that people do for living. But I was good in biology and chemistry and math, so I decided to try and succeeded. I made it to enroll on my desired study- LA! But, as I was young (started school when I was 5 yrs.old) and a bit crazy, I left scool on my 3rd year (out of 5 yrs, that's how long it takes to graduate at masters degree here in Croatia).
Later, after 8 or 9 yrs of working varius jobs, I had my daughter. When she was 1 yr old, I decided to come back and finish what I started. But now with a kid on my back, so it was very difficult. And hard. But I made it, and started from scrath. My 1st year, second time. And then, on my 2.year, my son came to this world. And now, with two kids on my shoulders, I carried on. And on. And on. No surrender, only hardwork....
And so, I made it to diploma of masters in environmental engeneering and landscape architecture and planning. It wasn't easy, but it was fun and rewarding with knowledge, new people and new uplifting spirit.
Then, I started my own firm and I'm working for myself now. It's my 5th year of being my own boss. It's not easy, it's hard, but does it matter? If it's not hard, it's not right for you. Because this life itself is hard and the path you choose shows itself upon you not as easy but as hard and thorny.
There you have it. My story.
I'm glad you showed interest, and I thank you for that from my heart!