Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 23,700 people employed as landscape architects in the United States. The median annual salary is $70,600. Entry level employees earn approximately $42,500 per year and senior employees earn approximately $115,660 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Prepare graphic representations or drawings of proposed plans or designs.
• Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
• Integrate existing land features or landscaping into designs.
• Inspect landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluate quality of materials or work, or advise clients or construction personnel.
• Analyze data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
• Develop marketing materials, proposals, or presentations to generate new work opportunities.
• Manage the work of subcontractors to ensure quality control.
• Present project plans or designs to public stakeholders, such as government agencies or community groups.
• Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
• Identify and select appropriate sustainable materials for use in landscape designs, such as recycled wood or recycled concrete boards for structural elements or recycled tires for playground bedding.
• Create landscapes that minimize water consumption such as by incorporating drought-resistant grasses or indigenous plants.
• Develop planting plans to help clients garden productively or to achieve particular aesthetic effects.
• Collaborate with estimators to cost projects, create project plans, or coordinate bids from landscaping contractors.
• Inspect proposed sites to identify structural elements of land areas or other important site information, such as soil condition, existing landscaping, or the proximity of water management facilities.
• Collaborate with architects or related professionals on whole building design to maximize the aesthetic features of structures or surrounding land and to improve energy efficiency.
• Prepare conceptual drawings, graphics, or other visual representations of land areas to show predicted growth or development of land areas over time.
• Design and integrate rainwater harvesting or gray and reclaimed water systems to conserve water into building or land designs.
• Research latest products, technology, or design trends to stay current in the field.
• Provide follow-up consultations for clients to ensure landscape designs are maturing or developing as planned.

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