How to Become a Landscape Architect in 2026
Quick answer: Becoming a landscape architect requires a 4-year degree - typically a LAAB-accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA, 4-5 years). The national median pay is $79,870 per year, and BLS projects +3.5% employment change from 2024 to 2034 (BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Landscape Architect at a Glance
| Metric | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $79,870 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Typical wage range | $54,770 (10th pct) - $130,190 (90th pct) | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected growth (2024-34) | +3.5% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
| Typical education | LAAB-accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA, 4-5 years) | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
| License / certification | State license via the LARE exam (required in every state) | State licensing boards |
What Does a Landscape Architect Do?
Landscape architects design outdoor spaces - site plans, grading and drainage, planting design, hardscapes, and stormwater systems - and produce the construction documents that landscaping and hardscape crews build from.
Skills That Make a Great Landscape Architect
- Site design and master planning
- Grading and drainage design
- Plant and materials knowledge
- CAD and GIS documentation
- Construction-document production
How to Become a Landscape Architect
1. Earn a LAAB-accredited degree
A 4-5-year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture; accreditation is required for licensure in most states.
2. Intern with a licensed firm
Most states require 1-4 years of supervised experience.
3. Pass the LARE
The four-section Landscape Architect Registration Examination.
4. Get your state license
Every state licenses the title; reciprocity via CLARB records.
5. Advance
Project landscape architect, principal, or design-build firm ownership.
Why an Online Degree Works for This Career
Landscaping and hardscape crew leaders already know plants, grading, and what survives a freeze-thaw cycle. The LAAB-accredited degree plus the LARE exam converts that field knowledge into stamped drawings and design fees.
Landscape Architect Salary
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $54,770 |
| 25th | $64,170 |
| 50th (median) | $79,870 |
| 75th | $104,090 |
| 90th | $130,190 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 21,800 |
| 2034 projected | 22,600 |
| Percent change | +3.5% |
Cost and Time to Complete the Degree
For landscape architects, the credential is: LAAB-accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA, 4-5 years). The accredited BLA runs 4 to 5 years, followed by 1 to 4 years of supervised experience and the LARE exams before licensure. Transfer credit is the other lever: prior college, military training, apprenticeship coursework, and industry certifications can be worth a year or more at transfer-friendly schools, so get a written transfer evaluation before enrolling anywhere. Costs vary widely by school type; in-state public online programs are usually the value benchmark, and employer tuition assistance is common for working adults in this field.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Landscape Architect
Pros
- Median pay of $79,870 nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- BLS projects +3.5% employment growth through 2034
- Field experience from the trades is a genuine hiring advantage
- Accredited online and hybrid degree paths exist for working adults
Cons
- Requires a 4-year degree (typically 120 credit hours)
- Entry-level pay starts near $54,770 at the 10th percentile
- Licensing hurdle: State license via the LARE exam (required in every state)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landscaper become a landscape architect?
Yes - construction and horticulture experience is a real advantage in a licensure track that many students enter with neither. The path is the LAAB-accredited degree, supervised experience, and the LARE exam.
How much do landscape architects make?
The national median annual wage for landscape architects is $79,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The top 10% earn $130,190 or more, while entry-level pay starts around $54,770.
What is the job outlook for landscape architects?
BLS projects employment of landscape architects to change by +3.5% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Landscape Architect Salary and Requirements by State
Alabama · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · Wisconsin
Related Trade Careers
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Landscape Architects (SOC 17-1012)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Landscape Architect Salary by State
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/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |