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Salary comparison

Landscape Architects vs. Civil Engineers: Who Earns More?

Civil Engineers out-earn Landscape Architects by $21K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Landscape Architects land at $79,870 and Civil Engineers at $100,840. The education gap is real: landscape architect programs typically require bachelor's degree, while civil engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Landscape Architects is Alabama ($101,220); for Civil Engineers it's California ($122,500).

Landscape Architects
Civil Engineers
Median salary
$79,870
$100,840
Hourly rate
$38.4/hr
$48.48/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$54,770
$68,240
Senior level (90th %)
$130,190
$163,220
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
19,600
367,840
Job growth (10-year)
3.5%
5%
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Top-paying state
Alabama
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Landscape Architects median pay.

State
Landscape Architects
Civil Engineers
California
$98,380
$122,500
New Jersey
$95,020
$104,660
Maryland
$92,880
$100,680
Massachusetts
$88,000
$106,730
New York
$87,360
$103,760
Nevada
$85,140
$104,310
District of Columbia
$85,100
$103,880
North Carolina
$83,420
$100,730
Colorado
$78,290
$101,420
Washington
$76,720
$110,000
Connecticut
$76,680
$103,150
Oregon
$73,600
$105,250
New Mexico
$71,990
$103,900
Kentucky
$68,460
$100,930
Nebraska
$62,170
$103,150

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Landscape Architects or Civil Engineers?

Civil Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $79,870 for Landscape Architects versus $100,840 for Civil Engineers, a difference of $21K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Landscape Architects or Civil Engineers?

Civil Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 5% projected growth, compared to 3.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Landscape Architects or Civil Engineers?

Landscape Architects typically requires bachelor's degree. Civil Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Landscape Architects get paid the most?

Alabama is the top-paying state for Landscape Architects at $101,220/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Landscape Architects vs. Civil Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Landscape Architects earn $98,380 vs. $122,500 for Civil Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Landscape Architects salary breakdownView →Full Civil Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Landscape Architects by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Civil Engineers by take-home payExplore →How to become a landscape architectsGuide →How to become a civil engineersGuide →