Wait... how much am I underpaid?

Written by: Hannah Daly, TYG Principal Consultant

A Senior Landscape Architect called me recently just to see where they stood in the market. Turns out, they were standing in the wrong place.

It started with curiosity

They’d been with the same practice for over 15 years. Worked their way up, knew the business inside out, and weren’t actively looking to leave.

This wasn’t one of those “I need a new job” calls. It was just curiosity.

And honestly, that’s usually how these conversations start.

The salary reality check

When we got onto salary, things got interesting. They were sitting around 15% below market rate for someone at their level. Their last pay rise had been four years ago, and it was just two percent. That was it. A bit of a reality check, especially after being loyal to one place for that long.

They also mentioned I was the first recruiter they’d ever spoken to - first call in 15 years.

Testing the landscape architecture market

We talked things through properly. What the market actually looked like right now, what kind of Senior Landscape Architect roles were out there, and what a move could realistically mean for them. No pressure to jump ship, just helping put some extra context around their situation.

In the end, we agreed to test the water. I put their resume in front of two landscape architecture practices I was already working with. Not an intense search, just a quiet look at what options might be out there.

Both came back wanting to interview.

When things start to click

That’s when things really started to shift. Through those conversations, it became clear how much the market had moved on while they’d been in the same place. Hybrid working was now the norm elsewhere, salary reviews were more structured, and the tools and software being used had moved forward too.

It wasn’t just about money anymore, it was about progression, exposure, and staying current in the industry.

From "just curious" to a 22% increase

Long story short, they accepted an offer with a 22% salary increase!

Sixteen months later, they’d already been promoted, with another pay rise on top.

All from a call that started with “just curious”.

Why it matters

You don’t have to be actively looking to benefit from a conversation like this. Most people we speak to aren’t.

But understanding where you sit in the market, what you could be earning, and what else is out there is valuable, whether you move or not.

Curious where you stand?

Curious about Landscape Architect salaries right now or what other opportunities are out there? Give us a shout.