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Landscape Architect  What They Do

Just the Facts


Landscape Architects Career Video



Plans and designs land areas for such projects as parks and other recreational facilities; airports; highways; hospitals; schools; land subdivisions; and commercial, industrial and residential sites.

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster Design and Pre-Construction pathway.


A person in this career:

  • Confers with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
  • Prepares site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
  • Analyzes data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
  • Develops marketing materials, proposals, or presentation to generate new work opportunities.
  • Inspects landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluates quality of materials or work, or advises clients or construction personnel.
  • Prepares graphic representations or drawings of proposed plans or designs.
  • Presents project plans or designs to public stakeholders, such as government agencies or community groups.
  • Integrates existing land features or landscaping into designs.
  • Manages the work completed by subcontractors to ensure quality control.
  • Creates landscapes that minimize water consumption such as by incorporating drought-resistant grasses or indigenous plants.

Insider Info

Dig into the details and check out what people in this job have to say about their work.



Related Careers

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Overtime work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Environmental Designer -- Addresses environmental parameters when devising plans, programs, policies, buildings, or products.
  • Golf Course Architect -- Plans the topography for golf courses, including the locations of landscaped greens, roughs and water features.
  • Sustainable Landscape Architect -- Plans and designs outdoor areas for a wide range of uses and helps the environment through their designs, which may preserve a site or restore it to its natural state by adding or protecting native plants or habitats.
  • Urban Design Planner --