How Much Does a Landscape Designer Make? (2025)
A landscape designer aids in the planning, design, and development of outdoor public spaces and physical settings, contributing to projects including gardens, landscaping, housing developments, and commercial landscapes. In this position, they assist experienced professionals by creating project design drawings, technical requirements, and presentations, while also contributing to site investigation, material selection, and assuring adherence to environmental and regulatory standards.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment data, the role of a licensed landscape architect, also known as a landscape designer, is expected to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034. According to Salary.com, the average landscape designer salary in the United States is $56,302 per year, or $27 per hour, offering a competitive annual wage for this job.
Landscape designers play an important role in shaping communities, from creating functional public parks and designing green college campuses to improving residential areas and enhancing buildings and other environments with the thoughtful placement of trees, shrubs, flowers, walkways, roads, and playgrounds.
Continue reading this guide for further details on landscape designer salary expectations, top-paying states, and additional information about the career.
What is the Landscape Designer's Salary?
As of September 12, 2025, the average landscape designer salary in the United States is $56,301 per year or $27 per hour. The annual salary range for landscape designers is between $45,030 and $67,192, with most earning between $50,402 and $62,002 per year.
2025 Average Salary for Landscape Designers: $56,301 per year ($27 per hour)
A landscape designer reported an average monthly salary of $4,692, while the average weekly pay is $1,083. The annual cost of employing a landscape designer, including healthcare, social security and time off, adds to the total compensation package.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22 | $866 | $3,753 | $45,030 |
| 25th Percentile | $24 | $969 | $4,200 | $50,402 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $27 | $1,083 | $4,692 | $56,302 |
| 75th Percentile | $30 | $1,192 | $5,167 | $62,002 |
| 90th Percentile | $32 | $1,292 | $5,599 | $67,192 |
Aside from the base salary, landscape designers receive additional benefits. The average total compensation in the United States is $83,323 per year, including benefits such as time off ($7,262), healthcare ($6,056) and social security ($4,514) which makes up about 21.4% of the total compensation.
Landscape Designer Average Salaries State by State
Landscape designer salaries differ across U.S. states due to factors such as job demand, local costs, cost of living, and wage standards in each location.
The table below shows the states with the highest employment levels for landscape designers and the states with the highest average annual wage. District of Columbia ($62,302), California ($62,102) and Massachusetts ($61,302) rank among the top. The city contributes significantly to these salaries in high-cost areas.
On the other hand, states with the lowest average salaries include Mississippi ($50,202), Arkansas ($50,902), and West Virginia ($50,702).
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $60,902 |
| Alabama | $51,702 |
| Arkansas | $50,902 |
| Arizona | $54,902 |
| California | $62,102 |
| Colorado | $57,402 |
| Connecticut | $60,202 |
| District of Columbia | $62,302 |
| Delaware | $57,002 |
| Florida | $53,302 |
| Georgia | $54,302 |
| Hawaii | $58,802 |
| Iowa | $53,902 |
| Idaho | $52,602 |
| Illinois | $57,402 |
| Indiana | $54,002 |
| Kansas | $53,602 |
| Kentucky | $53,002 |
| Louisiana | $53,502 |
| Massachusetts | $61,302 |
| Maryland | $58,102 |
| Maine | $54,902 |
| Michigan | $55,402 |
| Minnesota | $57,602 |
| Missouri | $53,502 |
| Mississippi | $50,202 |
| Montana | $53,202 |
| North Carolina | $53,502 |
| North Dakota | $55,602 |
| Nebraska | $53,002 |
| New Hampshire | $56,902 |
| New Jersey | $61,002 |
| New Mexico | $52,102 |
| Nevada | $55,702 |
| New York | $59,902 |
| Ohio | $54,802 |
| Oklahoma | $52,102 |
| Oregon | $57,202 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,002 |
| Rhode Island | $58,402 |
| South Carolina | $52,802 |
| South Dakota | $51,202 |
| Tennessee | $52,602 |
| Texas | $54,902 |
| Utah | $53,902 |
| Virginia | $56,702 |
| Vermont | $55,302 |
| Washington | $61,002 |
| Wisconsin | $55,402 |
| West Virginia | $50,702 |
| Wyoming | $54,002 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Landscape Designers?
Landscape designer salaries vary by city, influenced by the cost of living, local demand, and industry rates in urban areas. Cities with high living costs often offer more officers higher salaries to attract qualified candidates.
For example, cities in California such as San Jose and San Francisco offer higher average salaries for landscape designers, at $71,002 and $70,302, respectively. These urban centers are among the metropolitan areas where wages are strongest.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $71,002 |
| San Francisco, CA | $70,302 |
| Oakland, CA | $68,702 |
| New York, NY | $65,202 |
| Queens Village, NY | $64,802 |
| Paramus, NJ | $64,402 |
How Does Experience Affect Landscape Designer Salaries?
Landscape designer salaries grow with years of service. Salary.com reports that entry-level designers with less than 1 year of experience earn about $55,947 per year, while those with over 8 years of experience average $58,241 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Landscape Designer (<1 year) | $55,947 |
| Intermediate Level Landscape Designer (1-2 years) | $56,987 |
| Senior Level Landscape Designer (2-4 years) | $57,823 |
| Specialist Level Landscape Designer (5-8 years) | $58,074 |
| Expert Level Landscape Designer (8+ years) | $58,241 |
How to Increase Salary as a Landscape Designer?
According to Salary.com, most landscape designers in the United States require a bachelor's degree to enter the landscape architecture field. Their salary can rise with years of experience or learning specialized skills. Apart from finishing a college degree, a master's degree (held by 35% of landscape designers) can enhance opportunities for advancement.
Landscape Designer Advancements
- Build experience: Gaining experience as a landscape designer results in increased compensation, since enhanced skills and additional responsibilities are compensated with salary advancement. For example, entry-level designers earn approximately $55,947, and expert-level professionals can earn up to $58,241.
- Specialization: According to our data, expertise in areas like 3D computer-aided design (CAD), land mapping, drawing and sustainable design can boost salary by 11.16%, 10.91%, 10.36% and 10.30%, respectively. These specialized skills not only make landscape designers more competitive in the job market but also position them for higher-paying roles where advanced technical knowledge and innovative design approaches are in demand.
- Education: While the role requires a bachelor's degree (56.1% of landscape designers), a master's degree (35.0% of landscape designers) can open doors to higher roles and greater pay. For further details, consult your department. Pursuing advanced education also helps professionals build deeper expertise, strengthen leadership potential, and stand out in a competitive field.
Landscape Designer Skills
Landscape designers with specialized skills can increase their pay. Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that 3D computer-aided design (CAD) skills raise salaries by +11.16%, while land mapping skills add +10.91%.
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) | 10.40% | +11.16% |
| Land Mapping | 10.60% | +10.91% |
| Numerical Principles | 10.30% | +10.91% |
| Drawing | 10.30% | +10.36% |
| Sustainable Design | 10.50% | +10.30% |
| Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD) | 10.60% | +9.67% |
What are the FAQs About Landscape Designer Salaries?
Here are some common questions about landscape designer salaries:
How much do landscape designers make?
As of September 12, 2025, landscape designers in the United States earn an average of about $56,302 per year, or $27 per hour, with most earning between $50,402 and $62,002.
Are landscape designers still in demand?
Yes, landscape designers remain in demand. The BLS projects 3% stable employment for landscape designer's roles through 2034. A significant number of these opportunities are anticipated to arise from the necessity to substitute employees who transition to alternative occupations or exit from the labor force, such as through retirement.
What degree do you need to be a landscape designer?
Landscape designers need a bachelor's degree in a related field to start on the first day of employment. According to Salary.com, 4.2% have a high school diploma, 3.1% have an associate degree, and 56.1% have a bachelor's degree. Obtaining a master's degree can enhance compensation. Additionally, meeting state-specific licensing requirements and completing licensure exams are essential for career advancement.
What other opportunities are available for landscape designers?
Landscape designers often collaborate with business owners, city planners, and schools. They may also work on educational projects that engage students and community members. Clients frequently seek professional recommendations from designers about sustainable materials, planting design, and layouts. For reference, see the list of resources provided by BLS and Salary.com, which compare salaries compared to national averages.
