A landscape architect designs outdoor spaces for homes, businesses, and public areas. You'll blend creativity with technical knowledge, solve real problems, and shape how people experience their surroundings. The work requires a bachelor's degree and considerable preparation.
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Landscape architects plan and design outdoor environments. You draft layouts, specify materials and equipment, and think creatively about how spaces function and look. You gather information from clients and sites, make decisions about design solutions, and communicate your vision to contractors, engineers, and the people who will use the space. You apply knowledge of design, building and construction, geography, and engineering to create landscapes that are both beautiful and practical.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Landscape Architects earn a median of $79,870 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 1,700 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture or a related field. The path involves considerable preparation, including coursework in design, building and construction, geography, and engineering and technology. During your studies, you'll develop skills in reading, critical thinking, writing, and mathematics. Many programs include internships or project-based learning that connect classroom work to real design challenges. After graduation, you may pursue additional credentials or licensure depending on your location and career goals.
Most landscape architects earn a bachelor's degree, though the timeline and specific focus of your program can vary. If you're exploring whether this path fits your timeline and interests, Pathly can map the landscape architect path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to build a plan that works for you.
Many landscape architects must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to realistic, hands-on work that involves designing and building. You think creatively, solve problems, and communicate well with others.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).