Landscape Architect

The employment outlook will be Moderate for landscape architects (NOC 21201) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Majority in architectural, engineering and related services firms
• Local and municipal governments
• Companies providing services to buildings and dwellings

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Population growth, which is resulting in high levels of new residential construction in various areas of the province
• Construction-related investments in schools, hospitals, and transit facilities
• Climate change and large public sector commitments to extend green outdoor spaces and strengthen stormwater management systems to avert the risks of flooding

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• In addition to other formal education, positions usually require landscape architects with experience using software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp and Photoshop
• The practice of landscape architecture is not regulated in Ontario, but only members of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) can use the title ‘Landscape Architect’.

Here are some key facts about landscape architects in Ontario:

• Approximately 1,700 people work in this occupation.
• Landscape architects mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 73%
  • Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 11%
  • Management and administrative services (NAICS 55, 56): 7%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 91% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 9% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 75% of landscape architects work all year, while 25% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 24% of landscape architects are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 52% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 48% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: n/a
  • high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 8% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 56% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 36% compared to 13% for all occupations