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How to hire a senior landscape architect

Senior landscape architect hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring senior landscape architects in the United States:

  • There are a total of 6,230 senior landscape architects in the US, and there are currently 77,064 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a senior landscape architect is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per senior landscape architect on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • San Francisco, CA, has the highest demand for senior landscape architects, with 2 job openings.

How to hire a senior landscape architect, step by step

To hire a senior landscape architect, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a senior landscape architect, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step senior landscape architect hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a senior landscape architect job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior landscape architect
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The senior landscape architect hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A senior landscape architect's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, senior landscape architects from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of senior landscape architects and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Senior Landscape ArchitectDescriptionHourly rate
    Senior Landscape ArchitectLandscape architects design parks and the outdoor spaces of campuses, recreational facilities, private homes, and other open areas.$20-48
    Landscape DesignerA landscape designer is responsible for ensuring that the plan arrangement meets the client's best interests with the highest quality standards. Landscape designers must have strong attention to detail, outstanding communication skills, and excellent analytical skills to provide the best services as the client instructs... Show more$19-35
    ArchitectArchitects are licensed professionals who specialize in art and science of design, building constructions, and structures. They play a vital role in the construction and not only responsible for the appearance but also the safety of users... Show more$25-65
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Sketch
    • Project Management
    • Project Budget
    • Business Development
    • Leed
    • Urban Design
    • CAD
    • Landscape Design
    • Construction Administration
    • Site Design
    • Streetscape
    • Site Development
    • Design Process
    • Adobe Photoshop
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage technical architects for development and support of existing and new terminal platforms to support Walmart mobile and batch application infrastructure.
    • Introduce new technologies to the department using GIS.
    • Golf course clubhouse/new development community streetscape design.
    • Manage technical architects for development and support of existing and new terminal platforms to support Walmart mobile and batch application infrastructure.
    • Prepare marketing materials and CBD proposals
    More senior landscape architect duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the senior landscape architect job description is a good way to get more applicants. A senior landscape architect salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a senior landscape architect in Missouri may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level senior landscape architect. Additionally, a senior landscape architect with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average senior landscape architect salary

    $65,120yearly

    $31.31 hourly rate

    Entry-level senior landscape architect salary
    $42,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average senior landscape architect salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$85,136$41
    2New York$81,106$39
    3Virginia$77,354$37
    4Utah$76,727$37
    5Massachusetts$73,497$35
    6Colorado$72,562$35
    7Washington$71,662$34
    8Alaska$70,684$34
    9Illinois$62,754$30
    10Maryland$62,499$30
    11Florida$60,649$29
    12Minnesota$56,230$27
    13North Carolina$53,757$26
    14Arizona$52,582$25
    15Missouri$49,653$24
    16Ohio$48,067$23
    17Indiana$45,742$22

    Average senior landscape architect salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Halff Associates$73,103$35.158
    2WGI$72,645$34.937
    3AHBL$72,165$34.69
    4Hawkins$71,399$34.334
    5William H. Gordon Associates$70,918$34.10
    6Stantec$69,036$33.1975
    7WestLand Resources$68,929$33.14
    8American Consulting Inc$68,732$33.04
    9City & County Of San Francisco - Police Department (sfpd)$68,132$32.766
    10Perkins&Will$67,699$32.5541
    11HOK$64,211$30.8717
    12Sound Transit$63,833$30.691
    13Merrick & Co$63,821$30.681
    14IBI Group$63,334$30.45
    15Sasaki$62,557$30.083
    16AECOM$62,258$29.9376
    17Kimley-Horn$61,942$29.7856
    18Langan$61,921$29.778
    19New York State Restaurant Association$61,670$29.65
    20Tetra Tech$61,012$29.332
  4. Writing a senior landscape architect job description

    A job description for a senior landscape architect role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a senior landscape architect job description:

    Senior landscape architect job description example

    • Bachelor of Science or master's degree in Landscape Architecture;
    • Minimum of ten (10) years of practical experience preparing conceptual designs, construction documents, and providing construction administration for landscape architecture projects
    • Professional Landscape Architect Registration (PLA) in California.
    • Planning experience, a plus
    • Excellent verbal and written communication
    • Ability to apply technical skills to meet project demands and solve problems
    • Strong, creative design and graphic skills
    • Team-oriented attitude
    • Self-motivated

    Working Conditions and Environment:

    Will need the ability to establish rapport quickly with others working on the same project and be able to promote a positive team environment. A working knowledge of dealing with a diverse population while using tact, diplomacy, and respect.

    Company Benefits:

    AZTEC offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, short and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, Paid-time-Off, and a 401(k)/Profit Sharing program.

    Company Overview :

    AZTEC Engineering Group, Inc. (AZTEC) is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, and provides diversified technical and consulting services to clients in the United States. AZTEC has offices in California, Colorado, Indiana, and Nevada. AZTEC is part of the TYPSA Group, an international consulting engineering firm with over 2,600 employees and more than 50 offices worldwide providing multidisciplinary consulting services in the fields of civil engineering, architecture, and environment. AZTEC has a diverse culture that focuses on providing rich opportunities for its employees.

    AZTEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to affirmative action planning and encourages diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other non-job-related characteristic.

    Please apply online at www.aztec.us/career .

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right senior landscape architect for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your senior landscape architect job on Zippia to find and attract quality senior landscape architect candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as aaonetwork, aia , ala , an jobs, archareer .
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit senior landscape architects, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new senior landscape architect

    Once you have selected a candidate for the senior landscape architect position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new senior landscape architect. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a senior landscape architect?

Recruiting senior landscape architects involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for senior landscape architects is $65,120 in the US. However, the cost of senior landscape architect hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a senior landscape architect for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $20 and $48 an hour.

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