Career comparison
Landscape Architect vs. Surveyor
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. $75,440), while landscape architects usually get to work faster (4–5 years + experience of training). Landscape architects design parks, campuses and outdoor spaces that work for people and nature. Surveyors measure land and set official property boundaries.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Landscape Architect | Surveyor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $79,870 ($38.40/hr) | $75,440 ($36.27/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $54,770 – $130,190 | $46,880 – $125,590 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.4% (about as fast as average) | +5.8% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,700 | 3,100 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4–5 years + experience | 4 years + experience |
| Key credential | State landscape architect license | Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) |
| Work setting | Landscape architects work in offices with regular site visits in all weather.. | Surveyors split time between field work in all terrain and weather and office work.. |
What each job does
Landscape Architect
- Analyze sites and client needs
- Develop design concepts
- Select plants and materials
- Plan grading and drainage
- Prepare construction drawings
Surveyor
- Research deeds and records
- Measure land with GPS and total stations
- Set boundary markers
- Prepare plats and legal descriptions
- Stake out construction
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, high responsibility, and high-pay. They sit in different fields, agriculture, landscaping & animal care and science, engineering & lab, but share transferable skills such as creativity and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose landscape architect if…
- I love design and nature
- I like drawing and planning
- I want to shape public spaces
Choose surveyor if…
- I like working outdoors
- I’m precise
- I enjoy math
Still torn? Take the Landscape Architect fit quiz and the Surveyor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, landscape architect or surveyor?
Landscape Architects earn more at the median: $79,870 versus $75,440 for surveyors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Landscape Architects typically train faster (4–5 years + experience) than surveyors (4 years + experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects surveyors to grow +5.8% from 2025–35, compared with +4.4% for landscape architects.