landscape designer
Key facts
Shape the world around us! As a landscape designer, you'll blend creativity and technical skill to envision and create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces, from public parks to private gardens.
Landscape designers are responsible for the planning, design, and management of outdoor environments. Your work involves understanding client needs, site analysis, developing design concepts, and overseeing implementation. You’ll consider factors like environmental sustainability, accessibility, aesthetics, and the intended use of the space. The role often requires collaboration with architects, engineers, and contractors.
- • Conducting site assessments and analyzing environmental conditions.
- • Developing design concepts and detailed plans, including planting schemes, hardscape layouts, and irrigation systems.
- • Preparing presentations and proposals for clients, incorporating feedback and revisions.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Bulgaria, Finland, Netherlands.
Longest-running shortage: Bulgaria, 2 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could landscape designer fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Future Outlook for landscape designer
The outlook for landscape designer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could landscape designer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could landscape designer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- perform pest control
- inspect project regulations
- advise supervisors
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- perform studies and field investigation
- make drawings
- perform weed control operations
Tasks most exposed to automation
- review construction plans authorisations
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
A typical day as a landscape designer
09 09:00 · Morning perform studies and field investigation
10 10:30 · Mid-morning develop architectural plans
12 12:00 · Midday make drawings
14 14:00 · Afternoon advise supervisors
15 15:30 · Late afternoon create landscape designs
17 17:00 · Wrap-up environmental design
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
-
landscape architectural instruments
The instruments, tools, symbols and terminology of landscape architectural drawing and specifications; the laws and codes pertaining to landscape architecture and design.
-
landscape architecture
The principles and practices used in the architecture and design of outdoor areas.
-
plant disease control
Types and features of diseases in plants and crops. Different kinds control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and handling of products.
-
surveying methods
The fundamental principles and procedures of surveying applied to civil engineering, including remote sensing methods, and related equipment.
-
topography
Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.
-
botany
The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
- design principles
- ecology
- landscape analysis
-
develop architectural plans
Draft a master plan for building sites and landscape plantings. Prepare detailed development plans and specifications in accordance with applicable laws. Analyse private development plans for their accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance with laws.
-
create landscape designs
Use creative ideas to conceptualize landscape projects by making designs, drawings and sketches. These designs consist of parks, highways or walkways and try to create a public functional area.
-
perform pest control
Carry out crop spraying pest and disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements. Carry out slurry and fertiliser spreading in accordance with local environmental regulations
-
advise supervisors
Advise supervisor of problems, changes, or suggestions for more effective regulation practice or development activity.
-
perform weed control operations
Carry out crop spraying for weeds and plant disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements.
-
inspect project regulations
Inspect projects for regulation and specification compliance. Formulate recommendations to existing specifications and plans.
-
perform studies and field investigation
Plan and performs studies and field investigations as required. Inspect landscapes using established techniques and procedures.
-
make drawings
Make technical drawings to scale from sketches, drawings, and verbal instructions.
-
manage landscape design projects
Make preparations for the development of parks, recreation areas and roadside landscaping. Prepare designs, drawings and specifications for such projects and estimate the costs.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how landscape designer aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does landscape designer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of education or training is typically needed to become a landscape designer?
- While there are no strict requirements, a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, landscape design, horticulture, or a related field is common. Many designers also develop their skills through internships and professional experience. A strong portfolio showcasing your design abilities is essential.
- Are landscape designers typically employed or do they work as freelancers?
- This occupation is mostly employee-based, with many landscape designers working for landscape architecture firms, planning agencies, or construction companies. However, freelancing is also a common arrangement, particularly for established designers or those specializing in niche areas like residential garden design.
- How important are environmental considerations in landscape design today?
- Environmental sustainability is increasingly vital. Landscape designers are expected to incorporate eco-friendly practices, such as selecting drought-tolerant plants, using permeable paving materials, and designing for water conservation. Understanding local ecosystems and biodiversity is also crucial.
- Landscape Designer — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 9 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Greece and 2 more. 3 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Landscape Designer — what does it pay in the United States?
- $79,660 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $50,960 to $101,220. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.