California Median
$98,380
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $79,870
State Rank
#2 of 41
2,310 employed here
How much does a Landscape Architect make in California?
Landscape Architects in California take home a median of $98,380 annually — roughly $47.30 an hour — which runs 23% above the national median of $79,870.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $60,600 while the top 10% make $187,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,960 and $132,220 a year.
Landscape Architect salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,600 | $29.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $74,960 | $36.04 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $98,380 | $47.30 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $132,220 | $63.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $187,270 | $90.03 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 41 states and territories for Landscape Architect pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Landscape Architect salary in other states
Alabama $101,220Tennessee $95,250New Jersey $95,020Utah $94,430Maryland $92,880Texas $89,220Massachusetts $88,000New York $87,360Iowa $87,270Rhode Island $85,420Nevada $85,140District of Columbia $85,100North Carolina $83,420Maine $82,440Virginia $81,380Montana $81,330Florida $79,650Colorado $78,290Michigan $77,670Pennsylvania $77,130Washington $76,720Connecticut $76,680Missouri $76,670Arizona $75,310Idaho $73,950Kansas $73,760Oregon $73,600Georgia $73,570New Mexico $71,990New Hampshire $71,500South Dakota $70,620Vermont $69,740Wisconsin $69,520Kentucky $68,460Illinois $67,460Indiana $64,980Oklahoma $64,370Ohio $63,790Nebraska $62,170Arkansas $60,840
Working as a Landscape Architect in California
Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Landscape Architects in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($98,380) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Landscape Architect make in California?
The median Landscape Architect salary in California is $98,380 per year, or about $47.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,600 at the entry level to $187,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Landscape Architects about 23% more than the national median of $79,870. California ranks 2nd out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Landscape Architects?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $98,380 a year. About 2,310 Landscape Architects are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Landscape Architect salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.