Landscape Architects Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Landscape Architects in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA make a median of $97,640 a year, or about $46.94 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $174K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $87,264 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 48.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $98K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
About landscape architects
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level landscape architects (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $98K.Top earners bring in $174K or more - a $116K spread from bottom to top.
Landscape Architects pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $100K | +26% | 70 |
| California | $99K | +24% | 2,820 |
| New Jersey | $93K | +16% | 350 |
| North Dakota | $91K | +15% | 30 |
| New York | $90K | +13% | N/A |
| Maryland | $86K | +8% | 530 |
| Connecticut | $85K | +7% | 300 |
| Massachusetts | $85K | +7% | 450 |
| Arkansas | $84K | +6% | 110 |
| Iowa | $83K | +5% | 100 |
| Utah | $82K | +3% | 130 |
| Louisiana | $82K | +3% | 50 |
| Virginia | $81K | +2% | 610 |
| Pennsylvania | $81K | +2% | 1,110 |
| Texas | $81K | +2% | 1,170 |
Track landscape architects salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do landscape architects make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $97,640 a year - that works out to about $46.94 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,310, and experienced landscape architects can clear $174,220. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $98K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,988/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 50.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a landscape architects salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median landscape architects salary is worth about $87,264 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do landscape architects get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.