Employment of landscape architects is projected to grow 5 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Planning and developing new and existing commercial, industrial, and residential construction projects' landscapes will drive employment growth. The public's desire for beautiful and functional spaces will continue to require good site planning and landscape design.

In addition, environmental concerns and increased demand for sustainably designed buildings and open spaces will spur demand for the services of landscape architects. For example, landscape architects are involved in the design of green roofs, which are covered with vegetation and help reduce air and water pollution, as well as reduce the costs of heating and cooling a building.

Landscape architects will also be needed to design plans to manage storm-water runoff in order to conserve water resources and avoid polluting waterways. This is especially useful in areas prone to drought.

Job Prospects

Decent job opportunities are expected overall. However, competition for jobs in the largest and most prestigious landscape architecture firms is expected to be strong.

Many employers prefer to hire entry-level landscape architects who already have internship experience. Having experience significantly reduces the amount of on-the-job training required.

Job opportunities will be best for candidates with strong technical and communication skills and thorough knowledge of environmental codes and regulations. Familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS) may also be helpful.