Significant Points
More than 26 percent of all landscape architects are
self employed.
A bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture is the
minimum required for entry-level jobs.
Landscape architect jobs are expected to increase due
to a growing demand for incorporating natural
elements into man-made environments.
Nature Of The Work
Design areas that are functional, beautiful, and
compatible with the natural environment.
Help determine the best arrangements of roads and
buildings.
Collaborate with to other professionals to find best
way to conserve or restore natural resources.
Communication Skills
Mediation and Negotiation.
Team Building.
Technical Writing.
Project and Draft Presentation.
Dispute Resolution.
Communication Skills
Cliental Meetings.
Communication with peers, supervisors, or
subordinates.
Communication with people from outside of the
organization.
Work with the public.
Establish and maintain relationships.
Interpersonal Relationships
 High level of social contact.
 Working closely with clients, experts, and office staff.
 Often work as a group or as a part of a team.
 Communicate by phone, letters, memos, and in person
on a daily basis.
 Are moderately responsible for the results of work
done by others.
Technical Skills
Architectural construction methods.
Preservation and compliance.
Working knowledge of landscape preservation
materials and processes.
Basic construction cost estimating.
Technical Skills
Construction management.
Codes.
Reading, writing, and interpretation of specifications.
Technical reporting.
Sustainable practices.
Work Activities
Observe and gather information about the site, such
as lighting, water flow, and surrounding buildings.
Create the design, considering how the area will be
used.
Discuss project with architects, engineers, and
environmental scientists.
Use Computer Aided Design (CAD) for many stages
of design and drawing.
Use Geographic Information System (GIS) on larger
jobs to gather information.
Work Activities
Present drafts to clients and get feedback.
Submit plans to government agencies for approval.
Prepare final proposal, including cost estimate, site
plans, or models.
Outline in detail the methods of construction and
draw up a list of needed materials.
May supervise planting and construction.
Common Tasks
Make decisions and solve problems.
Think creatively.
Provide information about devices, equipment, or
structures.
Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
Schedule work and activities.
Common Tasks
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
Evaluate information against standards.
Update and use job-related of others.
Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials.
Identify objects, actions, and events.
Physical Working Conditions
Work both indoors and outdoors.
May on occasion be exposed to hot temperatures.
May be exposed to hazardous equipment.
May on occasion be exposed to hazardous situations.
Physical Demands
Sit for a long periods of time.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
See details of objects that are either less or more than
a few feet away.
Determine the distance between colors, shades, and
brightness.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Focus on one source and ignore others.
Work Performance
 Must be exact in their work.
 Make decisions that affect workers and clients on a
daily basis.
 Work in a highly competitive environment.
 Almost always set their daily tasks and priorities
without consulting a supervisor first.
 Abide by strict daily deadlines.
 Work is always on display to the public, and can
affect their company’s reputation.
 Many rely on reputation and word of mouth to
attract new clients.
Hours and Travel
Usually work regular hours during the off season.
May work overtime during the warm season to meet
project deadlines.
May work evenings of weekends to meet with clients.
Often travel to work sites in a company car, van, of
truck.
May travel to sites outside the local area.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
 Possession of at a minimum a bachelors degree or
equivalent qualifying experience.
 Experience in civil, electrical, mechanical,
architectural engineering, architecture or landscape
architecture.
 Ability to hold and maintain a valid state drivers
license in required categories necessary to operate
government vehicles and equipment assigned.
 Ability to apply basic professional knowledge to
design of entry level complexity and construction
management.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
 Ability to perform on-site design services, interpret
drawings, specs, codes, standards, and regulatory
requirements.
 Ability to review project work performed by other
engineers.
 Knowledge of special requirements of the contract as
safety, EEO, labor standards park rules and
regulations to ensure contractor compliance.
Leadership and Management Skills
Program and budget formulation.
Project management.
Creative problem solving.
Employment Opportunities
Landscape architects held about 25,000 jobs in 2004.
6 out of 10 workers were employed in firms that
provide architectural, landscape architectural,
engineering, and landscaping services.
State and local governments were the next largest
employers.
About 1 out of 4 landscape architects was selfemployed.
Employment Opportunities
Employment of landscape architects is concentrated
in urban and suburban areas.
Most landscape architects work in suburban areas.
Few landscape architects work in rural areas.
The Federal Government employees landscape
architects to plan and design parks and recreation
areas.
Job Outlook
 Employment is expected to increase faster than
average through the year 2014.
 The need to replace architects who retire or leave the
labor force will produce additional jobs.
 Employment will grow because of the expertise of
landscape architects.
 The development of new residential, commercial, and
other types of construction to meet the needs of a
growing population will continue to produce in this
field.
Earnings
Median annual earnings are $53,120.
The middle 50 percent earned between $40,930 and
$70,400.
The lowest 10 percent earned less then $32,390.
The highest 10 percent earned over $90,850.
The average annual salary for all landscape architects
in the Federal Government in non-supervisory,
supervisory, and managerial positions was $74,508.
Related Occupations
Architects.
Surveyors.
Cartographers.
Surveying Technicians.
Civil Engineers.
Urban and Regional Planners.
Final Thoughts
Everyone enjoys attractively designed
residential areas, public parks, playgrounds,
college campuses, shopping centers, golf
courses, parkways, and industrial areas. As a
landscape architects, you will help to design
areas so they are not just functional, but also
beautiful, and compatible with the natural
environment.
What did I gain from this
project?
 A better understanding of career opportunities in Landscape
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Architecture.
Community contacts
Potential Employment Opportunities
A better understanding of the potential earnings of Landscape
Architecture.
Understanding of audio “overdub” technology.
Understanding of the need for good communication skills.
Greater confidence in my own ability to gain employment in
Landscape Architecture.
Gained insight into academic needs for advancement in this
field.
Credits
 Produced By: Hendrix Bradford
 Created By: Hendrix Bradford
 Executive Producer: Hendrix Bradford
 Project Advisor: John D. Story
 Project Advisor: Dianne Phillips