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Landscape Architect

Landscape architects combine artistic and creative perspectives with scientific and technical knowledge. They create new environments and help manage and conserve existing environments. They strive to create harmony between natural environments, land features, infrastructure, and architectural structures. Their goal is to improve the quality of life in urban and rural environments.

Also Known As

Environmental Designer, Landscape Designer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 2152: Landscape Architects

2006 NOC-S

  • C052: Landscape Architects

2011 NOC

  • 2152: Landscape architects

2016 NOC

  • 2152: Landscape architects

2021 NOC

  • 21201: Landscape architects

2023 OaSIS

  • 21201.00: Landscape architects
Duties
Updated Mar 22, 2023

Landscape architects plan and design a wide range of settings. They may design:

  • Conservation areas
  • Public parks under municipal, regional, provincial, or national jurisdiction
  • Recreational areas such as sports fields, playgrounds, and golf courses
  • Residential greenspace developments and redevelopments
  • Shared interior or exterior spaces in master-planned communities
  • Private gardens, estates, and cemeteries
  • Grounds for hospitals, schools, airports, and other public facilities
  • Private health and institutional sites
  • Rooftop and elevated terrace landscapes
  • Interior landscapes for open spaces in shopping malls and large office buildings
  • Retail and commercial areas, as well as industrial and business parks
  • Stormwater management facilities
  • Streetscapes, public plazas, and scenic parkways (motorways)

Landscape architects may take part in programming for park and public projects and tourist developments. Or they may work on sites related to residential, recreational, or institutional projects. They also may:

  • Conduct public consultations
  • Develop conceptual designs and prepare renderings
  • Advise on cost estimates per phase of development
  • Manage specific regional areas, where they may plan forests, parks, and recreational areas
  • Monitor the development of natural agricultural lands
  • Oversee the restoration or reclamation of gravel pits, mining areas, or landfills
  • Supervise the conservation of environmentally sensitive areas
  • Prepare environmental assessments
  • Assess aesthetic and quality-of-life parameters
  • Provide landscape inventories, describe analysis processes, and develop programs

Landscape architects incorporate elements from the building industry and the surrounding natural environment into their designs. A successful project contributes to the beauty of the environment and preserves the natural ecology of an area. It reduces the environmental impact of urban, industrial, recreational, and other developments.

Landscape architects often work as part of a team with:

  • Architects
  • Urban planners
  • Consulting engineers
  • Building contractors
  • Scientists, especially when conservation or reclamation is involved
  • Ecologists

In general, they:

  • Act as project managers for other design consultants
  • Meet with private clients, local or regional governments, and sometimes the general public to determine needs, preferences, feasibility, and costs for projects
  • Prepare site plans, reports, and cost estimates
  • Perform inspections onsite
  • Observe and map drainage patterns, grade and direction of land slopes, soil structure and stability, and existing structures, vegetation, and landforms
  • Develop site plans that address social, cultural, economic, environmental, and artistic concerns
  • Prepare physical form drawings, reports, and cost estimates and present them to clients for review and approval
  • Develop final detailed plans and materials lists
  • Prepare contract documents and review tenders
  • Inspect the construction of their designs

Landscape architects most often work on several projects at once. Each may be at a different stage of development and require a different level of involvement.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 22, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Landscape architects often work in comfortable office surroundings. However, they may also do fieldwork for site analysis, and to assess or inspect construction. Travel, walking, and hiking on work sites, long hours, and deadline pressure are part of the job.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Landscape Architects

2006 NOC: 2152

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
INNOVATIVE

Interest in synthesizing information to conduct environmental design studies including environmental assessment, planning and the preservation and re-creation of historical sites

SOCIAL

Interest in precision working to prepare detailed drawings for sites, site plans, sketches and models for clients' approval, and to participate in multidisciplinary urban design studies

DIRECTIVE

Interest in supervising and overseeing the preparation of detailed drawings, site plans, reports, sketches, models, photographs, maps, land use studies and design plans; may manage and supervise landscape construction work

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 22, 2023

Landscape architects need:

  • Imagination and creativity
  • An interest in art, design, construction, and landscapes
  • An appreciation for the intrinsic qualities of built and natural environments
  • Some ability in the visual arts
  • The ability to work independently and on a team

They should enjoy synthesizing information and finding innovative solutions to problems. They should be at ease working with others on precision tasks. They should be comfortable supervising the work of others.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Landscape architects

2016 NOC: 2152

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 11 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 18, 2021 and Jun 06, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Landscaping Experience: Residential
Judgement
Initiative
Client focus
Reliability
Team player
Landscaping Experience: Industrial
Landscaping Experience: Business
Tasks: Conduct community and neighbourhood physical planning studies, participate in multidisciplinary urban design studies and prepare design guidelines
Tasks: Prepare or oversee the preparation of detailed drawings of sites
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 22, 2023
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

The minimum education for becoming a landscape architect in Alberta is a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution. Admission to a master’s program requires a bachelor’s degree with above-average grades. Those who want to run their own businesses also need business skills.

A list of accredited institutions offering landscape architect degrees can be found on the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) website.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 22, 2023
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Landscape Architect

Landscape architects combine artistic and creative perspectives with scientific and technical knowledge. They create new environments and help manage and conserve natural environments. They strive to create harmony between natural environments, land features, infrastructures, and architectural structures. Their goal is to improve quality of life in urban and rural environments.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf] and Landscape Architects Regulation [pdf], Landscape Architect is a protected title. This means that to call yourself a Landscape Architect, you must register as a member of the Alberta Association of Landscape Architects (AALA).

You do not have to register if you do not use the title Landscape Architect.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Landscape Architect.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 22, 2023

Landscape architects work for:

  • Landscape architecture firms
  • Planning, engineering, and architectural firms
  • Large real estate developers or building contractors
  • Federal, provincial, and municipal government departments for urban planning, parks and recreation, transportation, tourism, environment, and public works

Many newly qualified landscape architects start their careers working for established landscape-architecture consulting firms. They are most often supervised by registered landscape architects. With several years behind them and registration with the AALA, many start their own businesses or move into management positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Landscape architects
2016 NOC: 2152

80.0% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Landscape architects
2021 NOC: 21201
Lower
Demand
< 1500
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Landscape architects
2016 NOC: 2152
2.7%
Annual Growth
(Above Average)
9
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 22, 2023

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Landscape architects

2016 NOC: 2152
Average Wage
$37.29
Per Hour
Average Salary
$73,060.00
Per Year
Average Hours
37.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 2152 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

C: Lower Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $23.08 $59.33 $27.18 $23.08
Overall $32.62 $67.29 $37.29 $32.62
Top $50.46 $74.10 $53.67 $50.46

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
N/A
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 22, 2023

Alberta Association of Landscape Architects (AALA) website: www.aala.ab.ca

BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca

Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) website: www.csla-aapc.ca/csla-aapc

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 22, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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