Career comparison
Civil Engineer vs. Landscape Architect
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Civil engineers earn more at the median ($100,840 vs. $79,870), while civil engineers usually get to work faster (4 years + PE path of training). Civil engineers design and build roads, bridges, water systems and the infrastructure we rely on. 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
| Civil Engineer | Landscape Architect | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $100,840 ($48.48/hr) | $79,870 ($38.40/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $68,240 – $163,220 | $54,770 – $130,190 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.4% (faster than average) | +4.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 22,700 | 1,700 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years + PE path | 4–5 years + experience |
| Key credential | Engineer in Training (EIT) | State landscape architect license |
| Work setting | Civil engineers work in offices and at construction sites.. | Landscape architects work in offices with regular site visits in all weather.. |
What each job does
Civil Engineer
- Design infrastructure projects
- Analyze loads, soils and water flow
- Prepare plans and specifications
- Estimate costs
- Manage construction
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 high-pay, problem-solving, high responsibility, and working outdoors. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and agriculture, landscaping & animal care, but share transferable skills such as problem solving and creativity.
Which should you choose?
Choose civil engineer if…
- I love math and physics
- I want to build infrastructure
- I like solving complex problems
Choose landscape architect if…
- I love design and nature
- I like drawing and planning
- I want to shape public spaces
Still torn? Take the Civil Engineer fit quiz and the Landscape Architect fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, civil engineer or landscape architect?
Civil Engineers earn more at the median: $100,840 versus $79,870 for landscape architects, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Civil Engineers typically train faster (4 years + PE path) than landscape architects (4–5 years + experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects civil engineers to grow +6.4% from 2025–35, compared with +4.4% for landscape architects.