Occupation Details
Landscape Architects
Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$56,780.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$80,250.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$103,530.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
1,500
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
1,540
+4 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
110
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.0%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Landscape Architect
Learn MoreSkills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Computer scanners
- Desktop computers
- Digital camcorders
- Digital cameras
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Laptop computers
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk 3ds Max
- Bentley MicroStation
- Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
- Coyote Software DynaSCAPE Design
- Desktop publishing software
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- McNeel Rhinoceros 3D
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- inspect project operations, or site to determine specification compliance
- prepare reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- prepare environmental impact or related environmental reports
- judge soil conditions
- interpret aerial photographs
- interpret maps for architecture, construction, or engineering project
- bid engineering, construction or extraction projects
- estimate time needed for project
- estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
- convert design specifications to cost estimates
- compile numerical or statistical data
- develop tables depicting data
- advise clients or customers
- write business project or bid proposals
- develop plans for programs or projects
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- analyze ecosystem data
- analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
- analyze project proposal to determine feasibility, cost, or time
- understand engineering data or reports
- understand property documents
- analyze spatial data
- use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
- use field notes in technical drawings
- use government regulations
- use graphic arts techniques
- follow horticulture irrigation techniques
- use knowledge of regulations in surveying or construction activities
- use technical regulations for engineering problems
- use building or land use regulations
- use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
- use project management techniques
- work as a team member
- confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
- communicate technical information
- make presentations
- draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
- draw maps or charts
- use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
- use computer graphics design software
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use relational database software
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- develop or maintain databases
- collect scientific or technical data
- read blueprints
- read maps
- read technical drawings
- research property records
- obtain information from individuals
- design construction projects
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Prepare graphic representations or drawings of proposed plans or designs.
- Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
- Integrate existing land features or landscaping into designs.
- Inspect landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluate quality of materials or work, or advise clients or construction personnel.
- Analyze data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
- Develop marketing materials, proposals, or presentations to generate new work opportunities.
- Manage the work of subcontractors to ensure quality control.
- Present project plans or designs to public stakeholders, such as government agencies or community groups.
- Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
- Create landscapes that minimize water consumption such as by incorporating drought-resistant grasses or indigenous plants.
- Develop planting plans to help clients garden productively or to achieve particular aesthetic effects.
- Collaborate with estimators to cost projects, create project plans, or coordinate bids from landscaping contractors.
- Inspect proposed sites to identify structural elements of land areas or other important site information, such as soil condition, existing landscaping, or the proximity of water management facilities.
- Collaborate with architects or related professionals on whole building design to maximize the aesthetic features of structures or surrounding land and to improve energy efficiency.
- Prepare conceptual drawings, graphics, or other visual representations of land areas to show predicted growth or development of land areas over time.
- Design and integrate rainwater harvesting or gray and reclaimed water systems to conserve water into building or land designs.
- Research latest products, technology, or design trends to stay current in the field.
- Provide follow-up consultations for clients to ensure landscape designs are maturing or developing as planned.
- Identify and select appropriate sustainable materials for use in landscape designs, such as recycled wood or recycled concrete boards for structural elements or recycled tires for playground bedding.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Discover Cornell Plantations Children's Tours
Throughout the year, Cornell Plantations hold children's guided group tours. Children investigate an assortment of temperate and tropical plants that feed and clothe the world's population, use their sense of smell and match herbal products to plants while exploring some of the myriad ways herbs have enriched our lives for thousands of years, and pick, smell, and taste their way through the history of vegetable growing in the northeastern United States.
Learn MoreLandscape architects
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MorePLANTS Database
The PLANTS database includes information on the vascular and nonvascular plants of the United States and its territories. It includes checklists, species abstracts, distributional data, crop information, plants symbols, growth data, references and a variety of other plant information.
Learn MoreSaint Rose Summer Academy for Youth: Science and Technology
Hands on activities focusing on a variety of themes including: forensics, landscape architecture, web design and more.
Learn MoreSummer Academy for Youth: Explore a Dynamic Frontier (Week 5)
Hands-on activities focusing on a variety of themes including: forensics, landscape architecture, web design and more.
Learn More