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Landscape architect vs structural design engineer

The differences between landscape architects and structural design engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a landscape architect, becoming a structural design engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a structural design engineer has an average salary of $75,662, which is higher than the $62,379 average annual salary of a landscape architect.

The top three skills for a landscape architect include cost estimates, sketchup and site analysis. The most important skills for a structural design engineer are structural design, CAD, and autocad.

Landscape architect vs structural design engineer overview

Landscape ArchitectStructural Design Engineer
Yearly salary$62,379$75,662
Hourly rate$29.99$36.38
Growth rate-7%
Number of jobs77,08457,187
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4441
Years of experience46

What does a landscape architect do?

A landscape architect specializes in developing external areas into functional natural environments. Their responsibilities typically revolve around meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, drawing designs and creating models, and presenting proposals to clients with sustainability and environment conditions in mind. A landscape architect is also responsible for liaising with contractors and other external parties, obtaining certifications, and performing research and analysis as needed. Furthermore, as a landscape architect, it is essential to coordinate and encourage the team to reach goals within budgets and deadlines.

What does a structural design engineer do?

A Structural Design Engineer designs drawings, specifications, and computer models of structures for building contractors. They help design hospitals, office blocks, houses, bridges, ships, and other structures.

Landscape architect vs structural design engineer salary

Landscape architects and structural design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Landscape ArchitectStructural Design Engineer
Average salary$62,379$75,662
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $90,000Between $54,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CitySan Rafael, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyTillysGoogle
Best paying industryMediaManufacturing

Differences between landscape architect and structural design engineer education

There are a few differences between a landscape architect and a structural design engineer in terms of educational background:

Landscape ArchitectStructural Design Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorLandscape ArchitectureCivil Engineering
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCarnegie Mellon University

Landscape architect vs structural design engineer demographics

Here are the differences between landscape architects' and structural design engineers' demographics:

Landscape ArchitectStructural Design Engineer
Average age4441
Gender ratioMale, 75.5% Female, 24.5%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 0.4% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 5.8% Asian, 5.2% White, 85.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 17.3% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage13%5%

Differences between landscape architect and structural design engineer duties and responsibilities

Landscape architect example 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.
  • Process 3D renderings and animations in lumion.
  • Design 3-Dimensional models of designs and project elements using SketchUp 3D.
  • Show more

Structural design engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team on a year-long retrofit design effort for the F/A-18 E/F wing.
  • Review of design standards and procedures to conform to current IBC, ASCE, AWWA and ACI codes.
  • Perform stress analysis by hand and using FEA.
  • Load rating analysis and calculation methods base on AASHTO LRFR specifications.
  • Design steel pipe supports & frames for liquid natural plants using ASCE & AISC.
  • Perform seismic and wind load calculations in compliance with the ASCE 7-05, IBC and Ohio building codes.
  • Show more

Landscape architect vs structural design engineer skills

Common landscape architect skills
  • Cost Estimates, 13%
  • SketchUp, 9%
  • Site Analysis, 9%
  • Landscape Design, 9%
  • Site Inventory, 7%
  • GIS, 6%
Common structural design engineer skills
  • Structural Design, 15%
  • CAD, 10%
  • Autocad, 7%
  • Aerospace, 6%
  • GD, 5%
  • Aided Design, 5%

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