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Landscape architect skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

James Shields,

Christy Graves

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical landscape architect skills. We ranked the top skills for landscape architects based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.4% of landscape architect resumes contained cost estimates as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a landscape architect needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 landscape architect skills for your resume and career

1. Cost Estimates

Here's how landscape architects use cost estimates:

Developed detailed cost estimates and specification documentation.
Developed cost estimates and procured plant materials.

2. SketchUp

Here's how landscape architects use sketchup:

Introduced 3D modeling in SketchUp to the company to give clients a better understanding of a space during a proposal.
Completed many, complex, SketchUp models for city planning commission meetings and presenting to clients.

3. Site Analysis

Here's how landscape architects use site analysis:

Performed site analysis and inspections.
Developed site analysis graphics, conceptual plans, master plans and rendered illustrative plans, comprehensive plan reports and sketches.

4. Landscape Design

Landscape Design refers to the planning of how a lawn or yard will be designed. This may include what shrubbery and plants will be planted at different areas in the garden or yard in addition to any designs to the grass itself. Regardless of the exterior surface, landscape designers must consider how the yard is designed through elements of simplicity, emphasis, balance, variety, and others.

Here's how landscape architects use landscape design:

Interacted directly with government officials and design firm seniors for developing architectural and landscape design projects.
Direct full-service landscape design, construction and maintenance company serving residential and commercial property clients.

5. Site Inventory

Here's how landscape architects use site inventory:

Developed site selection reports for the Technology Centers consisting of a site inventory and comparative analysis of development constraints.
Collected site inventory data, checked zoning codes, made planning decisions and prepared documents.

6. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how landscape architects use gis:

Passed Section B of the Landscape Architecture Licensing Exam Skills Used GIS Photoshop Microstation
Landscape Design, using Arch GIS and Google Maps to review ongoing projects and coordinate workers and planners.

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7. Sketch

Here's how landscape architects use sketch:

Collaborated with other colleagues to complete drawing CAD SU and completed construction sketch.
Assisted the team with the design process starting from concept and sketch to final design project.

8. Adobe Photoshop

Here's how landscape architects use adobe photoshop:

Gained experience in Adobe Photoshop and AutoCAD.
Maintained graphics on company web site using Adobe Photoshop.

9. Urban Design

Here's how landscape architects use urban design:

Medium-sized company specializing in community master planning and urban design.
Landscape Architecture/ Site Planning/ Urban Design

10. Project Management

Here's how landscape architects use project management:

Provide professional landscape architectural design, construction sales and project management services for residential and commercial clients
Project management, conceptual design, design development, construction documents, construction administration

11. Adobe Creative Suite

Here's how landscape architects use adobe creative suite:

Rendered design concepts by hand and used Adobe Creative Suite software.
Designed bike path and entrance signs using Adobe Creative Suites.

12. Residential Development

Here's how landscape architects use residential development:

Consulted on appropriateness of urban sites for residential development and created presentation drawings illustrated development options.
Project types included high-end mixed-use residential development on the Florida Panhandle and hotel/casino site planning and design in Spain.

13. Design Development

Design development is used to refer to a number of positions and skills in a number of different industries. In the architectural world, Design Development is used to refer to an architectural plan that is already halfway or more done but needs further development, alteration, and testing. In the automotive industry, it refers to the skills necessary to create and develop new car, engine, and other designs, as well as to ensure that all designs are safe and effective.

Here's how landscape architects use design development:

Direct project coordinator, design development, site/master planning, and construction documentation/specifications for residential and commercial properties.
Produce schematic studies, design development documents, construction documents and specifications.

14. Construction Administration

Here's how landscape architects use construction administration:

Provide plan review, construction administration and cross-team coordination.
Communicated with clients, site construction administration and coordinated, as needed, with state and local agencies throughout project duration.

15. Master Planning

Here's how landscape architects use master planning:

Worked on Construction Details/Specifications Master Planning/Grading/Planting Design Attended Pre-Bid and Pre-Construction Meetings
Project Involvement Master Planning/Planned Unit Developments:.

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What skills help Landscape Architects find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on landscape architect resumes?

James Shields

Design Principal at HGA Architects and Associate Professor of Architecture, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Many interviews for architecture jobs remain online at the present time, so an ability to communicate via Zoom or Teams is vital. Looking professional on the small screen with an ability to show your work well are skills that can be practiced before an interview. Most architecture employees are currently working online from home, so knowledge of the essential digital architecture programs (like Revit, Bluebeam, Sketchup, et al) is currently very important. On resumes and in portfolios, any experience in the architecture sectors that have remained relatively stable (Housing, Master Planning, Science & Tech, Schools, sustainable infrastructure) should be emphasized. If you have no such experience, read up on current trends in these practice areas online and find some that interest you. Conveying such an interest can go a long way.

What landscape architect skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Christy Graves

Professor/Program Manager, Seminole State College of Florida

I'd suggest trying to get part-time work to enhance the skills that were taught while going to school. Students should contact the career development center at their respective schools for part-time work opportunities.

What type of skills will young landscape architects need?

A. Haven Kiers

Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of California, Davis

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.

What hard/technical skills are most important for landscape architects?

Randall Randall

Program Head Architecture, Professor, University of Idaho

Adept with hand-drawing, model making, CAD, and graphics software (photoshop, illustrator). Experience with some kind of hands-on-making/construction is a plus.

Do you want to know more?

List of landscape architect skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a landscape architect resume and required skills for a landscape architect to have include:

Cost Estimates
SketchUp
Site Analysis
Landscape Design
Site Inventory
GIS
Sketch
Adobe Photoshop
Urban Design
Project Management
Adobe Creative Suite
Residential Development
Design Development
Construction Administration
Master Planning
Site Design

Streetscape
Lumion
Design Concepts
Construction Drawings
Site Development
Schematic Design
Site Layout
Project Design
Construction Projects
Public Presentations
Design Process
Construction Management
Business Development
Open Space
Regional Planning
Aided Design

Contract Administration
Presentation Graphics
Irrigation Design
Auto CAD
Construction Inspection
Residential Projects
Various Design
Project Phases
Client Relations
Construction Observation
Landscape Projects
Plant Material
Irrigation Systems
Mowing
Retaining Walls
Residential Design

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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