2152-NOC

Landscape architects

(NOC 21201)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$76,208
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
130

Career Overview

Landscape architects create landscape designs and oversee their construction. They work on jobs ranging in size from individual private gardens to large-scale regional projects. These can include commercial and residential developments, office complexes, parks, campuses, heritage sites and golf courses.

Duties

Landscape architects:

  • Consult with clients to determine their needs
  • Survey and assess sites, considering features of the land, conditions of the soil and water, on-site buildings, climate, natural conservation requirements and future uses
  • Create or oversee the creation of landscape plans that include:
    • Elements such as lighting, walkways, patios, benches, fences, retaining walls, playgrounds, fountains and public art
    • Grading, drainage and “green infrastructure” to manage stormwater
    • Plantings
    • Irrigation systems
    • Wetland and habitat restoration
  • Carry out environmental design and heritage preservation studies
  • Prepare cost estimates, specifications and contracts
  • Lead public engagement sessions and present projects to municipal councils and advisory boards
  • Gain necessary approvals from regulatory agencies
  • Provide input into the design of roads, bridges, stormwater management systems and structures
  • Manage projects during construction and review the completed work

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$76,208

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$54.70/hr
Median$36.54/hr
Low$19.67/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

310

% Employed Full Time

71%
Source: 2021 Census

Many landscape architects are self-employed. Others work for landscape consulting companies, architectural or engineering firms, or government, environmental or development agencies.

Landscape architects typically work standard business hours. Most work in offices. Some work from home. They visit outdoor project sites, and they attend project planning and review meetings in person and by conference call.

Career Pathways

Most landscape architects begin their careers as interns – as they work toward certification – or in junior landscape architect positions.

With experience, they may move into more senior roles. Some may advance into principal landscape architect positions. Others may take on senior management jobs in park development, green infrastructure or operations.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Artistic
Artistic
Investigative
Investigative

Job Titles

Landscape architect
Senior landscape architect

Education, Training and Skills

Landscape architects must have a degree from an accredited landscape architecture program, or a related degree plus work experience.

Some jobs also require:

  • A master’s degree in landscape architecture
  • Arborist certification
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification
  • Sustainable SITES certification

Workers in B.C. must be registered with the B.C. Society of Landscape Architects to use the title “Landscape Architect.” Registration requires a two-year internship under the supervision of a registered landscape architect, as well as an exam, a presentation and an interview.

Workers coming to B.C.

Landscape architects who are certified by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information, such as a letter of good standing, references or a criminal record check.

Workers who trained outside of Canada

Landscape architects who trained outside of Canada and have never received certification from a Canadian jurisdiction will likely need a full assessment. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact the B.C. Society of Landscape Architects for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

75%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

75%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

72%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

72%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

72%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

72%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

68%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

68%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

68%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

68%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

310
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 0 0.0%
Kootenay 0 0.0%
Mainland/Southwest 240 76.2%
North Coast and Nechako 0 0.0%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 35 11.1%
Vancouver Island/Coast 30 9.5%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

130
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo Not available Not available
Kootenay Not available Not available
Mainland/Southwest 90 1.7%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 20 2.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 20 2.1%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services120
Public Administration10
Business, Building And Other Support Services0
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Technology plays an important role in this work. Landscape architects use computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software, 3D modelling programs and specialized software for mapping and graphics.

Resources