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.
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.
Construction management.
Technical reporting.
Work Activities
Observe and gather information about a 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.
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.
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.
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.
 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, or
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.
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.
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 $53,000.
The middle 50 percent earned between $41,000 and
$71,000.
The lowest 10 percent earned less then $32,000.
The highest 10 percent earned over $91,000.
The average annual salary for all landscape architects
in the Federal Government in all positions was
$75,000.
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.
Credits
Produced By: Hendrix Bradford
Created By: Hendrix Bradford
Executive Producer: Hendrix Bradford
Project Advisor: John D. Story
Project Advisor: Dianne Phillips
Thank You For Looking.