Career comparison
Interior Designer vs. Landscape Architect
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Landscape architects earn more at the median ($79,870 vs. $67,190), while interior designers usually get to work faster (4 years of training). Interior designers design interior spaces that are functional, safe 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
| Interior Designer | Landscape Architect | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $67,190 ($32.31/hr) | $79,870 ($38.40/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $41,420 – $114,140 | $54,770 – $130,190 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.7% (about as fast as average) | +4.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 7,700 | 1,700 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years | 4–5 years + experience |
| Key credential | NCIDQ Certification | State landscape architect license |
| Work setting | Designers work in studios and offices and visit client sites, showrooms and construction projects.. | Landscape architects work in offices with regular site visits in all weather.. |
What each job does
Interior Designer
- Meet clients to define needs and budgets
- Plan space layouts
- Create drawings and 3D renderings
- Select finishes, furniture and lighting
- Follow codes and accessibility rules
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 problem-solving. They sit in different fields, arts, media & design and agriculture, landscaping & animal care, but share transferable skills such as creativity and creativity.
Which should you choose?
Choose interior designer if…
- I love designing spaces
- I have a good eye for color and materials
- I like solving layout 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 Interior Designer fit quiz and the Landscape Architect fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, interior designer or landscape architect?
Landscape Architects earn more at the median: $79,870 versus $67,190 for interior designers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Interior Designers typically train faster (4 years) than landscape architects (4–5 years + experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects landscape architects to grow +4.4% from 2025–35, compared with +2.7% for interior designers.