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Hourly Wage for Principal Landscape Architect Salary in the United States

How much does a Principal Landscape Architect make hourly?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Principal Landscape Architect in the United States is $47, which translates to an annual salary of about $96,900.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $52 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42 to $49 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $42 10% $38 90% $52 75% $49 $47 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Principal Landscape Architect Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $102,310 $8,526 $1,968 $49
Average $96,900 $8,075 $1,863 $47
25th Percentile $87,500 $7,292 $1,683 $42
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Key Factors That Influence Principal Landscape Architect Salaries

A Principal Landscape Architect's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Principal Landscape Architect Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Principal Landscape Architect's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Landscape Architect (0-2 years): $56,237
  • Intermediate Landscape Architect (2-4 years): $66,407
  • Senior Landscape Architect (4-7 years): $78,470
  • Principal Landscape Architect (7+ years): $96,891
  • Manager of Landscape Architecture (7+ years): $137,471
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Landscape Architect0-2 years$56,237
Intermediate Landscape Architect2-4 years$66,407
Senior Landscape Architect4-7 years$78,470
Principal Landscape Architect7+ years$96,891
Manager of Landscape Architecture7+ years$137,471
$56,237 Entry Lan...
$66,407 Intermedi...
$78,470 Senior La...
$96,891 Principal...
$137,471 Manager o...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Principal Landscape Architects

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $122,210
  • San Francisco: $120,880
  • Oakland: $118,330

What Skills Can Increase a Principal Landscape Architect's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 16.36% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Mentioned in 2.09% Job Postings): Adobe Creative Suite is a discontinued software suite of graphic design, video editing, and web development applications developed by Adobe Systems.
  • Schematic (Mentioned in 1.54% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 16.36%
Adobe Creative Suite 2.09%
Schematic 1.54%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Principal Landscape Architect's salary.
  • Construction Administration: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Photoshop: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Construction Administration
$108,528
12%
Teamwork
$107,559
11%
Photoshop
$103,683
7%
InDesign
$103,683
7%
Verbal Communication
$103,683
7%
Adobe
$102,714
6%
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Principal Landscape Architect Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Principal Landscape Architect salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $104,073. While startup companies pay approximate $88,101.

Principal Landscape Architect Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$88,101
Growth Stage51~500$93,167
Established501~5000$100,518
Enterprise5000+$104,073

Principal Landscape Architect Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Principal Landscape Architect roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Construction, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Principal Landscape Architect positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Principal Landscape Architect as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Principal Landscape Architect

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$106,590$51.010%

How Education impacts a Principal Landscape Architect's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Principal Landscape Architects enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Principal Landscape Architect with a Bachelor's Degree is between $94,204 and $103,277).

Principal Landscape Architect Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Principal Landscape Architect
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.2%
High School 2.2%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 63.0%
Masters 31.0%
Doctorate 1.1%
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Principal Landscape Architect Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Principal Landscape Architect's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Principal Landscape Architect

Salaries for a Principal Landscape Architect can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $99,251 in 2023 to around $98,590 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Principal Landscape Architect salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Principal Landscape Architect Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$99,251
2024
$99,132
2025
$98,590
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $99,251
2024 $99,132
2025 $98,590
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Principal Landscape Architect

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Principal Landscape Architect

Here are companies hiring for Principal Landscape Architect and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Principal Landscape Architect Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal Landscape Architect job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Instacart

    Columbus, OH

    Instacart | Columbus, OH

    Instacart Delivery Drivers shop for groceries and deliver them to customers using the Instacart app. Responsibilities include picking and packing grocery o... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    3 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    15 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

    15 Days Ago

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FAQ about Principal Landscape Architect

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Principal Landscape Architect?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Principal Landscape Architect roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. What is the difference between an architect and a principal architect?

A Principal Landscape Architect is a licensed professional who oversees design objectives and manages other architects. They hold the highest position in a firm, ensuring project quality and compliance. Salaries for this role range from $85,080 to $117,590, with a median salary of $102,100, reflecting their expertise and leadership responsibilities in the field.

3. Do landscape architects get paid more than architects?

Landscape architects generally earn more than traditional architects. The salary data for principal landscape architects shows a minimum of $85,080, a mid-range of $102,100, and a maximum of $117,590. In comparison, architects had a median salary of $82,840, with the top 25% earning over $105,600, indicating that landscape architects often have higher earning potential.

4. How much does a Principal Architect make at Google in the US?

A Principal Landscape Architect in the US typically earns between $85,080 and $117,590 annually, with a median salary of around $102,100. This range reflects varying levels of experience and responsibility within the role.

5. What is the highest salary for a landscape architect?

The highest salary for a Principal Landscape Architect is approximately $117,590 per year. In comparison, Landscape Architects generally earn between $77,000 and $128,000 annually, while Senior Landscape Architects can make between $94,000 and $168,000.

6. How much does a principal architect make at United Airlines?

The estimated total pay range for a Principal Landscape Architect is between $85,080 and $117,590 per year, based on salary data. This range reflects the base salary without including additional compensation or benefits.

7. What is principal level?

A principal level typically refers to a senior position within an organization, often responsible for leading projects and teams. In the field of landscape architecture, a Principal Landscape Architect can expect a salary range from $85,080 to $117,590, with a median salary around $102,100, reflecting their expertise and leadership responsibilities.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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