Career comparison
Architecture Professor vs. Landscape Architect
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Architecture professors earn more at the median ($96,870 vs. $79,870), while landscape architects usually get to work faster (4–5 years + experience of training). Architecture professors teach design studios and building science to future architects. 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
| Architecture Professor | Landscape Architect | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $96,870 | $79,870 ($38.40/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $58,430 – $159,030 | $54,770 – $130,190 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.6% (about as fast as average) | +4.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 700 | 1,700 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 6–8 years | 4–5 years + experience |
| Key credential | Architect license | State landscape architect license |
| Work setting | Faculty work in design studios, classrooms, workshops and sometimes their own practices.. | Landscape architects work in offices with regular site visits in all weather.. |
What each job does
Architecture Professor
- Lead design studios
- Give critiques and reviews
- Teach history, theory and technology
- Advise students
- Conduct design research
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 and high-pay. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and agriculture, landscaping & animal care, but share transferable skills such as mentoring and creativity.
Which should you choose?
Choose architecture professor if…
- I love architecture
- I enjoy critiquing design
- I want to teach and practice
Choose landscape architect if…
- I love design and nature
- I like drawing and planning
- I want to shape public spaces
Still torn? Take the Architecture Professor fit quiz and the Landscape Architect fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, architecture professor or landscape architect?
Architecture Professors earn more at the median: $96,870 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 architecture professors (6–8 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects landscape architects to grow +4.4% from 2025–35, compared with +2.6% for architecture professors.