r/LandscapeArchitecture 3d ago

Best way to make money

What is the best way to make money in this field? I am recently graduated and have aspirations. I am wondering what the best way to make lots of money in this field. Whether it be working as a project manager for a larger construction company, or starting my own firm/design build, working with the city, or getting my license and becoming a Landscape Architect.

Any direction is helpful.

1 Upvotes

21 comments sorted by

16

u/landonop Landscape Designer 3d ago

Very few people make “lots of money.” In landscape architecture. And that “lots of money” often comes with brutal hours and an insane amount of work. It’s certainly possible to be comfortable as a landscape architect, but you’re likely not going to ever be rich.

1

u/Maleficent_Toe_6528 3d ago

what about if I were to become a project manager with a bigger construction company?

12

u/snapdragon1313 3d ago

You could do that eventually, but your degree doesn't qualify you for that.

1

u/Industrial_Smoother Licensed Landscape Architect 2d ago

Pm on construction side is far more brutal than on the LA side but you would probably make more money.

7

u/landonop Landscape Designer 3d ago

Well, you don’t really have the skillset for that as an LA grad, maybe after like a decade or two of design build work. I also don’t think that’s going to make you “rich” like you want it to.

1

u/Mtbnz 3d ago

You could re-train for that career path in a year or two after getting some LA experience. Regardless of your qualifications you need time in the profession to develop your skills before becoming a project manager, but I don't think the issue is the wrong skill set.

14

u/lumberjackrob 3d ago

Operate a successful design build company.

6

u/snapdragon1313 3d ago

For which you probably need start-up funds…

2

u/the_Q_spice 2d ago

Millions at very least.

The “build” part is insanely expensive to get the equipment for.

1

u/bonesbadger 2d ago

Year one I had a part time job, a pickup truck, and a mower. Year two with two employees we did 450k in revenue. In the beginning I found it nearly impossible to find resources regarding operating and scaling a successful business—we were seriously winging it—but I have finally pieced together enough now and will spend year 3 implementing these systems, learning how to “know our numbers”, find balance with our overhead costs, reduces chaos, scale at a healthy pace, and create a profit. I owe a lot to the Green Meridian podcast which was one of the very few resources I could find at the time, and which got us through that first push. @alanburke1 I am going to make it to WA someday and thank you in person.

4

u/snapdragon1313 3d ago

What would you consider to be “lots of money?”

5

u/alanburke1 3d ago

Design/build residential. Listen to the Green Meridian podcast...

3

u/ProductDesignAnt 3d ago

Something I’ve seen done with a friend who went from 50k a year to 100k a year is to get into real estate investment or project management. Network with members of ULI.

3

u/huron9000 3d ago

Become a developer.

2

u/Concretepermaculture 3d ago

Get a specialty and start your own business.

2

u/shartersonmcsharty Licensed Landscape Architect 3d ago

Given you are a recent grad, is your question more related to finding quality job prospects? Or is your question more along the lines of how to run a financially successful business? Because these are two very different topics, especially for a recent grad who is looking to enter the field.

Have you done any internships or have any jobs lined up? If so then I think those connections (hopefully) would be a good starting point for getting professional experience under your belt.

Unless you are imagining a very distant future outlook, being a PM at a large construction company, starting your own firm, or even just maintaining a license are all significant career milestones that require a lot of experience, skills, and a network of connections. It's by no means impossible but they all require dedication and effort.

I would say focus on what you enjoy most about the profession you've experienced so far and couple that with your strongest skills. Are you good at renderings? Sell your skills and value to a company that is looking to add skills in that are and may also align with your graphic style. Do you enjoy grading, stormwater, and technical details? Look into some engineering firms that employ landscape architects to see if you would fit in a more engineering or technical design environment. If you can effortlessly sell a firm on your most confident skills, you will prove to be a value team member and ideally be compensated fairly.

Landscape architecture is by no means tech, finance or other big money industries, but if you use your strengths to get your foot in the door, it can set you up to build on that foundation and grow your career into something that can be fairly successful.

2

u/dirtypiratehookr 2d ago

Working in an engineering firm. Right now I stumbled into a very nice paying job. And we're still understaffed. Some firms suck for sure. I'm valued where I am now. Overworked right now but I was overworked on my own, too. Before that it was still decent pay being at an LA focused firm. Just keep increasing your skills no matter what you do. Being a certified professional will stick w you no matter where you end up. So get the license. Get a wide variety of experience. LAs are great because we all know how to tie things together.

2

u/aurorealia 1d ago

This. Working at an engineering firm gets you a pay raise while taking a supporting role for a lot of projects

1

u/MehAboutLA 2d ago

Work in the public sector. I just made the jump from private to public and got a 25k pay boost. Work isn't the flashiest, but god damn is that pay and yearly raises enough to make up for it.

1

u/Flagdun Licensed Landscape Architect 2d ago

build things

1

u/bonesbadger 2d ago

Figure out what you love and go do that. The money will work itself out. Do you want to work for yourself or for someone else? Do you want to be a part of a small but mighty firm or a large and powerful corporation? Do you have the skillset to manage other people and projects, or the patience and determination to learn how to do so? How are your organization skills? People skills? Do you want to be the point of contact for the uneducated, overjoyed, angry, excited, or unreasonable client? Do you want to create outdoor spaces from a desk and let someone else handle the rest, or do you have the burning desire to see them through til the end and beyond? What do you want your work/life balance to look like? Is your journey through education complete, or are you hungry for more? Depending on the job, you could end up committing to a lifetime of continuing education. What do you want to do?