Prevailing Wage for Landscape Architects
Prevailing wage for Landscape Architects (SOC 17-1012) is set by DOL using regional wage surveys that cover roles from Land Planner to Golf Course Architect. DOL establishes four experience levels, and the wage floor shifts considerably depending on the metropolitan area where work is performed.
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Level 1 applies to entry-level professionals with limited experience, typically working under direct supervision on defined project components. Most candidates at this level hold a recent bachelor's degree in landscape architecture and have not yet obtained licensure.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for Landscape Architects. It covers qualified professionals who work independently on standard projects, apply established methods, and typically hold two to five years of post-degree experience with growing licensure progress.
Level 3 covers experienced professionals who manage complex, multi-site design projects and may oversee junior staff. These candidates typically hold licensure, have seven or more years of field experience, and take on client-facing or technical lead responsibilities.
Level 4 applies to fully competent senior practitioners who direct large programs, set design standards, or carry principal-level responsibilities. This includes those functioning as Park Planners overseeing major public works or lead architects managing firm-wide project portfolios.
Prevailing Wage for Landscape Architects by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Landscape Architects and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your worksite city before accepting
Landscape Architects are often assigned to project sites, not a firm's headquarters address. The LCA must list the actual worksite location, which can shift the prevailing wage floor significantly between metros like San Francisco and Evansville.
Watch for title mismatches at landscape firms
Titles like Landscape Designer or Land Planner sometimes get filed under civil engineering or planning SOC codes. Confirm your offer letter references SOC 17-1012 to ensure the correct prevailing wage floor applies to your sponsored position.
Account for excluded compensation in offer reviews
Project completion bonuses and vehicle allowances common at landscape architecture firms do not count toward the prevailing wage floor. Evaluate the base salary alone against the applicable DOL level wage to confirm the offer is compliant.
Find sponsors with proven Landscape Architects hiring history
Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored Landscape Architects, so you can focus your search on firms with active H-1B or green card records rather than firms that are new to sponsorship in this occupation.
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Find Jobs for Landscape ArchitectsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 17-1012.00 alongside Landscape Architects, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
AP BD+C (Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction) Prevailing Wage
AP BD+C (Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction) Prevailing Wage
AP BD+C (Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction) positions fall under SOC 17-1012.00 (Landscape Architects). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Golf Course Architect Prevailing Wage
Golf Course Architect Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Golf Course Architect for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-1012.00 (Landscape Architects). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Land Planner Prevailing Wage
Land Planner Prevailing Wage
Land Planner is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-1012.00 (Landscape Architects). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Landscape Designer Prevailing Wage
Landscape Designer Prevailing Wage
Landscape Designer positions fall under SOC 17-1012.00 (Landscape Architects). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Landscape Planner Prevailing Wage
Landscape Planner Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Landscape Planner for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-1012.00 (Landscape Architects). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Park Planner Prevailing Wage
Park Planner Prevailing Wage
Park Planner is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-1012.00 (Landscape Architects). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Planner Prevailing Wage
Planner Prevailing Wage
Planner positions fall under SOC 17-1012.00 (Landscape Architects). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Professional Landscape Architect (PLA) Prevailing Wage
Professional Landscape Architect (PLA) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Professional Landscape Architect (PLA) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 17-1012.00 (Landscape Architects). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Project Landscape Architect Prevailing Wage
Project Landscape Architect Prevailing Wage
Project Landscape Architect is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 17-1012.00 (Landscape Architects). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Landscape Architects?
DOL calculates the prevailing wage for Landscape Architects using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan areas. OFLC publishes these figures as four wage levels tied to SOC 17-1012. Employers sponsoring a foreign national must pay at least the level that matches the offered position's requirements and worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
DOL's four levels correspond to experience, supervision, and complexity. Level 1 is entry-level under close supervision; Level 2 is an independent qualified professional and is the most common filing level for Landscape Architects; Level 3 is an experienced practitioner with project leadership duties; Level 4 is a fully competent senior or principal. Your level should match the actual job duties in the offer, not just your years of experience.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Landscape Architects role vary so much by city?
OFLC derives local wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, which capture what employers in each metro actually pay. High-cost design markets like San Francisco and San Jose reflect dense concentrations of well-funded projects and firms that bid up salaries. Lower-density markets in the Midwest and South show in the survey data as lower floors. The LCA must list the worksite metro, so the rate that governs your offer is the rate for wherever you will physically work.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify an LCA, and therefore cannot file an H-1B or PERM application, if the offered wage falls below the applicable DOL prevailing wage. USCIS will deny a petition where the LCA wage is too low. If an offer is below the floor, the employer must increase the stated wage before filing. Accepting a lower salary informally while the petition lists a higher figure creates serious legal risk for both parties.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Landscape Architects position in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current DOL wage by SOC code 17-1012 and metropolitan area. Select the metro that matches your actual worksite, not your employer's headquarters. You can also review historical LCA filings through OFLC disclosure data to see what wages employers have certified for similar roles. Migrate Mate lists employers with a documented record of sponsoring Landscape Architects, which helps you target firms already familiar with the DOL wage requirements.
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