How much does a landscape architect make?
The median landscape architect in the United States earns $79,870 per year, about $38.40 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all landscape architects earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-1012.
Landscape architect salary range
Pay for landscape architects spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $54,770 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $130,190. The average (mean) wage of $88,780 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $54,770 | $26.33 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $64,170 | $30.85 | |
| Median (50th) | $79,870 | $38.40 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $104,090 | $50.04 | |
| 90th percentile | $130,190 | $62.59 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for landscape architects (SOC 17-1012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Landscape architect salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Landscape architects earn the most in Alabama at $101,220 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $60,840. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $101,220 | 230 |
| California | $98,380 | 2,310 |
| Tennessee | $95,250 | 260 |
| New Jersey | $95,020 | 360 |
| Utah | $94,430 | 90 |
| Maryland | $92,880 | 870 |
| Texas | $89,220 | 1,450 |
| Massachusetts | $88,000 | 500 |
| New York | $87,360 | 920 |
| Iowa | $87,270 | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $85,420 | 90 |
| Nevada | $85,140 | 180 |
| District of Columbia | $85,100 | 170 |
| North Carolina | $83,420 | 1,080 |
| Maine | $82,440 | 110 |
| Virginia | $81,380 | 570 |
| Montana | $81,330 | 80 |
| Florida | $79,650 | 1,210 |
| Colorado | $78,290 | 690 |
| Michigan | $77,670 | 650 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,130 | 910 |
| Washington | $76,720 | 760 |
| Connecticut | $76,680 | 270 |
| Missouri | $76,670 | 110 |
| Arizona | $75,310 | 390 |
| Idaho | $73,950 | 160 |
| Kansas | $73,760 | 150 |
| Oregon | $73,600 | 350 |
| Georgia | $73,570 | 410 |
| New Mexico | $71,990 | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $71,500 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $70,620 | 80 |
| Vermont | $69,740 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $69,520 | 450 |
| Kentucky | $68,460 | 140 |
| Illinois | $67,460 | 810 |
| Indiana | $64,980 | 460 |
| Oklahoma | $64,370 | 170 |
| Ohio | $63,790 | 480 |
| Nebraska | $62,170 | 190 |
| Arkansas | $60,840 | 100 |
State median wages for landscape architects (SOC 17-1012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for landscape architects
The BLS projects employment of landscape architects to grow 4.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 23,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 24,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,700 openings a year for landscape architects. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a landscape architect
The typical entry-level education for landscape architects is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a landscape architect earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alabama, $101,220) and the lowest (Arkansas, $60,840) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 19,600 people work as landscape architects in the United States. At $79,870 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Landscape architect salary FAQ
How much does a landscape architect make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a landscape architect is $38.40. The middle half of landscape architects earn between $30.85 and $50.04 per hour.
What is the highest landscape architect salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of landscape architects earn more than $130,190 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a landscape architect make a year?
The median annual salary for a landscape architect is $79,870. The average (mean) wage of $88,780 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a landscape architect a well paid job?
At $79,870 a year, a landscape architect earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 19,600 people work as landscape architects in the United States.
Which state pays landscape architects the most?
Alabama has the highest median salary for landscape architects at $101,220 a year. California ($98,380) and Tennessee ($95,250) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a landscape architect a good career?
Employment of landscape architects is projected to grow 4.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a landscape architect?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for landscape architects as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Engineering & Architecture salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.