My Colorado Journey
Back to pathway map
AgricultureTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.Green JobOccupation aligned to O*NET green economy classifications.

Landscape Architect

Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.

Annual openings

75

BLS median wage

$78,290

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

10-year growth

+8%

Career requirements

What does this career require?

The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Credential requirement

A Landscape Architect License is highly valued by some employers.

Employer competency information

Feedback from employers identifies the following competencies

  • Love outdoors and physical work — Part of the joy of this job is being outdoors.
  • Customer Focused — You will consistently be responsible for customer relationships.
  • Problem Solving
  • Math/Science/Physics — The science of plant healthcare and grading of landscape are practical uses of this knowledge.
A lot more information, including opportunities to explore jobs and gain experience, are at Green Pathways under "The Field of Forestry" and "The Field of Land Management".

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

  • With kids/peopleOccasionally
  • On a computerOccasionally
  • Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
  • With your handsOccasionally

Interests it draws on

  • Trades
  • Architectural and Civil Drafting

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
  2. Analyze data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
  3. Inspect landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluate quality of materials or work, or advise clients or construction personnel.
  4. Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
  5. Integrate existing land features or landscaping into designs.
  6. Collaborate with architects or related professionals on whole building design to maximize the aesthetic features of structures or surrounding land and to improve energy efficiency.