Growing Opportunities for Landscape Architects

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, landscape architecture–the comprehensive discipline of land analysis, planning, design, management, preservation and rehabilitation–is the fastest growing of all the design professions. That growth isn’t expected to peak anytime soon. Demand for landscape architecture services is projected to expand an astonishing 20 percent over the next few years.

Landscape architecture is a leading “green collar” job, and U.S. News & World Report named the profession among the best career choices for 2010. The average salary and bonus for landscape architects is more than $85,000, with those just starting their careers making in excess of $48,000. Professionals entering the field typically hold either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape architecture.

Landscape architects work with architects, city planners, civil engineers and other professionals and play an important role in environmental protection by designing and implementing projects that respect both the needs of people and of the environment. Career opportunities include developing and preserving open spaces, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, zoos, parks, golf courses and transportation systems.

Residential work continues to be the largest landscape architecture market, with most of that work consisting of single-family homes. Commercial and industrial design is the second-largest market, followed by parks and recreation.

With only 30,000 landscape architects currently in the U.S. and the sustained growth in demand for landscape architecture services, there are major opportunities for anyone considering entering the profession. Educational opportunities for landscape architecture students abound. There are 63 colleges in the United States and Canada with accredited undergraduate programs and many scholarship programs available for those considering the field. The teacher-to-student ratio for most of these programs is 15:1.

Learn more about landscape architecture at http://www.asla.org.

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