Salary is not everything in landscape architecture. This is confirmed by the figures on the income of landscape architects. They come from a survey conducted by the chambers of architects. Passion and commitment are also required in the professional field of landscape architecture.
The question of income and salary in landscape architecture is important for many people. The words “passion” are often used here. How much of this do you need? And what is the landscape architecture salary like? The results of a survey by the chambers of architects have compiled some figures.
In the professional fields of architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture, there is often talk of passion and dedication. It is certainly true that a lot of work is done in these disciplines. However, this dedication is not always reflected in income and salary – quite the opposite.
The professional field of landscape architecture is known for its low salary and income compared to other fields. What exactly are the earning opportunities for landscape architects?
To get answers to this question, it is worth taking a look at surveys conducted by the state chambers of architects. In 2020 , they asked 85,567 members in Germany about their salary. Over 16,000 members responded, including 782 members of the landscape architecture sector.
Members of all chambers in all federal states took part in the survey on salaries in landscape architecture. As part of the survey in 2020, those who are self-employed were surveyed. However, employed landscape architects also provided information on their income and salary.
On average, the members were 44.8 years old. In terms of gender distribution, women were more frequently represented (56 percent) than men (44 percent). Due to the relatively high age of many chamber members, it is not surprising that over 80 percent of them have a degree from a university or university of applied sciences. These university degrees were common until the Bologna university reform in the mid-1990s.
Landscape architecture salary of respondents
When asked about income and salary in the professional field of landscape architecture, the Chamber of Architects differentiates between members who work full-time and those who only work part-time. Among those who work full-time, the largest group, namely 28 percent, earned between 40,001 and 50,000 euros per year. Those earning between 60,001 and 70,000 euros together make up 22 percent. The group of part-time professionals in landscape architecture, who earned between 50,001 and 60,000 euros a year, also made up a total of 21 percent. Only 16 percent of them earn between 60,001 and 70,000 euros per year and only 17 percent stated that they earn over 70,000 euros per calendar year.
On average, this result shows an income or salary in landscape architecture of 58,919 euros per year. The exact middle between the highest and lowest income, the median, is 53,355 euros per year in landscape architecture. None of these figures include additional cash benefits or remuneration for overtime.
A lot of effort is required
As is generally known, people in the professional field of landscape architecture work very hard. This is also confirmed by the survey conducted by the Chamber of Architects. This is because 81 percent of those interviewed stated that they work overtime. The majority of them, i.e. 53 percent, have to work between two and five hours of overtime per week. Around 30 percent of those surveyed work between five and ten hours of overtime per week.
This picture differs depending on where the landscape architecture profession is practiced. According to the Chamber’s survey, employees in an architecture or planning office work an average of 4.2 hours of overtime per week. In contrast, colleagues in the public sector only have to work an average of 3.8 hours more than contractually agreed. Slightly more overtime is worked in the commercial sector. There, members of the Chamber of Landscape Architecture work 4.4 hours of overtime per week.
Working more hours than agreed is one thing. But what impact does this have on salary and income in landscape architecture? Interestingly, 62 percent of those surveyed stated that their overtime is compensated by time off in lieu. Only around five percent of chamber members receive financial compensation for the extra hours worked.
Is working in landscape architecture financially rewarding?
A look at the landscape architecture salary shows that this is not a professional field in which a lot of money can be earned quickly. There are certainly many other sectors and fields of activity in which income and salary are higher.
In addition, the information on overtime shows that landscape architecture often involves a great deal of time commitment. The normal working hours agreed in the contract are often not enough. Many people repeatedly work additional hours that are not financially rewarded.
Compared to the professional fields of architecture and urban planning, landscape architecture is in a worse position. This is because the average salary of the architects surveyed is 65,636 euros and 75,226 euros per year in the field of urban planning. With a median income of 58,919 euros per year, landscape architects are therefore worse off than their related disciplines. Read more about architecture salaries here.
From a financial perspective alone and with regard to the salary in landscape architecture, the profession is not attractive. But if you were to conduct a survey on happiness and satisfaction in landscape architecture, the results would certainly be good. Anyone who wants to take on a major, broad and socially relevant challenge can find professional fulfillment in landscape architecture.
