Landscape Architect Careers Information
Landscape architects have become increasingly important as people desire their living and work spaces to be not only functional, but also beautiful and environmentally sound. Landscape architects use equal parts of design, math, horticulture, and environmental studies to plan parks, golf courses, and the outdoor areas of building complexes. Landscape architects may also work to reclaim land, such as at former landfills and strip-mines, and at sites of historical restoration.
Landscape Architecture Careers Path
Most landscape architects have a Bachelor’s degree, which takes four to five years to complete and involves taking classes in science, math, design, art, and construction techniques. For those transferring to landscape architecture with a different undergraduate degree, a Master’s degree can be earned, though it may take three years of full-time study. Finally, a landscape architect must pass a licensing exam in 49 states after one to three years of work experience in order to be fully certified.
Landscape Architect Careers Compatible Personality Traits
Creative, interest in the natural world, can see the big picture, works well with others, strong communicator, able to work under the pressure of a deadline, likes to see a project through from beginning to end.
Landscape Architect Interview
To find out first-hand information about a landscape architect career, Read More from a Landscape Architect…
Landscape Architect Salary Expectations
The average salary for a landscape architect is $58,960 a year, with the middle fifty percent making between $45,840 and $77,610. While landscape architects are subject to the same economic downturns that affect others who work in construction, they usually fair better because they are able to work on a variety of projects, many of which fall outside traditional construction projects.
Landscape Architect Job Outlook
The job outlook for landscape architects in the coming years is good as populations grow and desire not only more infrastructure, but more beautiful infrastructure. Competition may be high at more prestigious firms, but there should be good employment opportunities overall. Those landscape architects with internship experience, as well as strong CAD and communication skills will be the most likely to find the position they desire.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, landscape architect employment opportunities is expected to expand by 20%, which is higher than the national average.
Landscape Architect Associations and Resources
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
Slightly off the Footpath
- Architect
- Civil Engineer
- Surveyor
- Cartographer
- Conservationist
- Urban Planner
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Psychologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos039.htm (visited November 3, 2011).
