Landscape Architect Salary in Washington, DC
Landscape Architects in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $89,350 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $67,061 take-home, or $5,588 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median landscape architect salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,827
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,540
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,296
- District of Columbia income tax$4,626
- Take-home pay$67,061
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Landscape Architect pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,030 | $29.34 | $48,697 | $4,058 |
| 25th percentile | $67,900 | $32.64 | $53,631 | $4,469 |
| Median (50th) | $89,350 | $42.96 | $67,061 | $5,588 |
| 75th percentile | $104,560 | $50.27 | $76,469 | $6,372 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,740 | $75.36 | $108,043 | $9,004 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $89,350 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median landscape architect's $67,061 take-home pay has the buying power of $61,590 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 2.2× the national concentration of landscape architect jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for landscape architects, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #6 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $103,670 | $81,762 | $82,898 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $119,730 | $84,598 | $73,174 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $92,970 | $70,182 | $67,168 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $84,270 | $65,527 | $63,895 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $95,760 | $70,276 | $61,881 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $89,350 | $67,061 | $61,590 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $76,730 | $62,810 | $56,517 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $66,830 | $52,682 | $50,853 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a landscape architect make in Washington, DC?
The median landscape architect salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $89,350 a year, or about $42.96 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $67,900 and $104,560.
What is a landscape architect’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $89,350 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $67,061 a year ($5,588 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,626 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a landscape architect?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $79,870. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $61,590 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #6 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a landscape architect afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median landscape architect’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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