Landscape Architecture Degree Programs in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)
Quick answer: The Grand Rapids metro employs about 110 landscape architects (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state landscape architect licensing board.
Compare landscape architecture programs enrolling now:
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Landscape architecture is licensed in most states. The national sequence is a LAAB-accredited degree from the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, documented design experience under a licensed landscape architect, and the Landscape Architect Registration Examination administered through CLARB. Whether the state runs a title act or a practice act, and how much experience it counts, is set board by board.
See the Michigan licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state landscape architect licensing board.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Landscape Architects Earn in Grand Rapids
Landscape Architects in the Grand Rapids area earn a median $77,670 per year, below the national median of $79,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Landscape Architecture Pay in Grand Rapids, MI
| Metric | Grand Rapids metro | Michigan | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $77,670 | $77,670 | $79,870 |
| 10th percentile | $49,190 | $55,120 | $54,770 |
| 25th percentile | $60,280 | $60,780 | $64,170 |
| 75th percentile | $82,050 | $95,780 | $104,090 |
| 90th percentile | $104,210 | $125,520 | $130,190 |
| Employment | 110 | 650 | 19,600 |
| Location quotient | 1.43 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Grand Rapids median of $77,670 is below the national median of $79,870, and level with the Michigan statewide median of $77,670 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 1.43 means landscape architects are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Landscape architecture demand follows regional development patterns - subdivision and campus work, parks and municipal budgets, and the climate that decides what gets planted and how sites drain
Other Michigan Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $81,520 | 200 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do landscape architects make in Grand Rapids?
The median annual wage for landscape architects in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $77,670, below the national median of $79,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many landscape architects work in the Grand Rapids area?
The Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area employs about 110 landscape architects (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do landscape architects in Grand Rapids need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Landscape architecture is licensed in most states. The national sequence is a LAAB-accredited degree from the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, documented design experience under a licensed landscape architect, and the Landscape Architect Registration Examination administered through CLARB. Whether the state runs a title act or a practice act, and how much experience it counts, is set board by board. Confirm current requirements with your state landscape architect licensing board.
Can I study landscape architecture online from Grand Rapids?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state landscape architect licensing board.
Is Grand Rapids a better market than the rest of Michigan?
The Grand Rapids metro median is $77,670 against a statewide median of $77,670 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Landscape Architecture degree programs in Michigan - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Landscape Architecture programs and how to choose one
- Landscape Architect career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Landscape Architects (SOC 17-1012), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.