Landscape Architects on the State Payroll Receive 31% Higher Wages

In 2008, the 9 landscape architects on the state payroll received wages that were almost $20,000 higher than the average annual wages for all landscape architects in Illinois.

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson

Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in 2008, there were nine landscape architects on the state payroll working for the Department of Natural Resources and the State Toll Highway Authority. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that in 2008 landscape architects in Illinois made an average of $62,840 annually. The landscape architects on the state payroll received average annual wages of $82,503 – over 31% more than the average annual wages for landscape architects in Illinois. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, landscape architects “plan and design land areas for such projects as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.” The table below breaks down the wages by agency.

To find this information on the IllinoisOpenGov website, go to “Payroll” and search for “Landscape Architect” and “Senior Landscape Architect” in the “Position” field.