Career comparison
Architect vs. Landscape Architect
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Architects earn more at the median ($99,280 vs. $79,870), while landscape architects usually get to work faster (4–5 years + experience of training). Architects design buildings that are safe, useful and beautiful. Landscape architects design parks, campuses and outdoor spaces that work for people and nature.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Architect | Landscape Architect | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $99,280 ($47.73/hr) | $79,870 ($38.40/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $62,300 – $161,420 | $54,770 – $130,190 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.3% (about as fast as average) | +4.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 6,900 | 1,700 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 5–7 years of school plus internship | 4–5 years + experience |
| Key credential | State architect license | State landscape architect license |
| Work setting | Architects work in studios, at client meetings and on job sites.. | Landscape architects work in offices with regular site visits in all weather.. |
What each job does
Architect
- Meet clients
- Develop designs
- Create drawings and models
- Coordinate engineers
- Ensure code compliance
Landscape Architect
- Analyze sites and client needs
- Develop design concepts
- Select plants and materials
- Plan grading and drainage
- Prepare construction drawings
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work, problem-solving, desk work, and high-pay. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and agriculture, landscaping & animal care, but share transferable skills such as creativity and creativity.
Which should you choose?
Choose architect if…
- I love buildings
- I’m creative and technical
- I like drawing and modeling
Choose landscape architect if…
- I love design and nature
- I like drawing and planning
- I want to shape public spaces
Still torn? Take the Architect fit quiz and the Landscape Architect fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, architect or landscape architect?
Architects earn more at the median: $99,280 versus $79,870 for landscape architects, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Landscape Architects typically train faster (4–5 years + experience) than architects (5–7 years of school plus internship).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects landscape architects to grow +4.4% from 2025–35, compared with +4.3% for architects.