A Landscape Designer in UAE earns between AED 72,000 and AED 168,000 per year. The role designs outdoor spaces including gardens, public parks, streetscapes, and resort landscapes, selecting plants suited to UAE climate and ensuring irrigation efficiency. It requires a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture or horticulture, 3 to 8 years of experience, and knowledge of UAE municipal landscape standards.
UAE and Saudi Arabia
Salary: AED 72,000–168,000
Updated 2025
Landscape Designer Responsibilities
The table below lists the primary responsibilities of a Landscape Designer in UAE and Saudi Arabia as of 2025. Each responsibility is stated as a discrete, measurable activity.
| Responsibility | Frequency | Output / Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Develop landscape design concepts and planting plans | Per project | Concept approved by client and planning authority |
| Specify plants, hard landscaping, and irrigation systems | Per project | Plant schedule and irrigation specification issued |
| Produce landscape construction drawings for authority submission | Per project | Drawings approved by DM, UPC, or relevant authority |
| Coordinate with irrigation engineers and civil engineers | Per project | Coordinated landscape and irrigation drawings issued |
| Conduct site inspections during landscape installation | Per visit | Site inspection report issued with defects listed |
| Prepare landscape maintenance specifications and handover documentation | Per project | Maintenance manual issued at practical completion |
Landscape Designer Qualifications and Requirements
The following qualifications apply to a Landscape Designer role in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Requirements vary by sector and employer size.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, or Environmental Design |
| Experience | 3 to 8 years of landscape design in UAE or GCC, including arid climate planting |
| Software | AutoCAD and SketchUp required; Vectorworks Landmark or Revit advantageous |
| UAE plants | Knowledge of ADCD (Abu Dhabi City Municipality) and DM approved plant species lists |
| Irrigation | Basic irrigation system design knowledge for drip and sprinkler systems in UAE conditions |
| Communication | Client presentation, authority submission, and contractor coordination |
All employment contracts in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. A Landscape Designer employed in mainland UAE requires a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) approved contract. ADGM, DIFC, and free zone employees are subject to their respective authority’s employment regulations.
How RFS Recruits a Landscape Designer
- You brief RFS with the role specification, seniority level, and team structure. The briefing call takes 30 minutes.
- RFS searches its active candidate database and activates direct outreach within 24 hours of instruction.
- RFS delivers a shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened Landscape Designer candidates within 48 to 72 hours.
- You conduct interviews. RFS coordinates scheduling and candidate communication throughout.
- RFS supports offer negotiation and manages the candidate’s notice period and onboarding.
- The 6-month replacement guarantee activates from the candidate’s start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Landscape Designer earn in UAE?
A Landscape Designer in UAE earns between AED 72,000 and AED 168,000 per year. Resort and luxury development landscape designers earn AED 120,000 to AED 168,000. Urban streetscape and public realm designers earn AED 84,000 to AED 132,000.
Which plants are suitable for UAE landscape design?
UAE landscape design prioritises drought-tolerant species approved by authorities. Dubai Municipality and Abu Dhabi City Municipality publish approved plant species lists. Commonly specified species include Ghaf trees (Prosopis cineraria), Date palms, Bougainvillea, Frangipani, Adenium, and desert succulents. Water-intensive species are restricted under UAE sustainability guidelines.
How does RFS recruit Landscape Designers?
RFS sources Landscape Designer candidates for master developers, hospitality groups, and design consultancies across UAE and Saudi Arabia. A shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened candidates is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. The retained search fee is 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation.
What a Landscape Designer does in UAE
A Landscape Designer in UAE creates outdoor environments for residential communities, commercial developments, hospitality projects, and public realm schemes across UAE’s climate-challenging desert environment. You design planting schemes, hard landscaping, and irrigation systems that meet Dubai Municipality or Abu Dhabi authority standards and function in UAE’s extreme heat conditions.
Key responsibilities
- Develop landscape design concepts from initial masterplan brief through detailed design and construction documentation
- Prepare landscape drawings including planting plans, irrigation layouts, and hard landscaping details
- Specify plant species suitable for UAE climate conditions including heat, salinity, and low-water requirements
- Submit landscape plans for Dubai Municipality or Abu Dhabi Municipality approval as part of development permit
- Coordinate with civil, MEP, and architectural teams on landscape interface with built structures
- Prepare landscape specifications and BoQ for tender documentation
- Manage landscape contractor during construction and conduct site inspections for quality compliance
- Specify and oversee drip and spray irrigation system installation for water efficiency compliance
- Prepare LEED or Estidama landscape documentation for sustainable development projects
- Produce photo-realistic visualisations and landscape presentation boards for client and authority approval
Qualifications required
- Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture or landscape design
- 3 to 8 years landscape design experience with at least 2 years on UAE or GCC projects
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Lumion, and Adobe Illustrator for landscape design production
- Knowledge of UAE climate-appropriate planting including native, drought-tolerant, and ornamental species
- Dubai Municipality landscape permit submission experience preferred
- LEED Green Associate or Estidama PBRS awareness for sustainable landscape documentation
- Arabic language skills preferred for UAE authority permit submissions and community engagement
- UAE driving licence for site visits across master development projects
Landscape Designer salary by employer type in UAE
| Employer type | Annual salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| UAE master developer landscape team (Emaar, Nakheel, Aldar) | 140,000–260,000 |
| International landscape architecture firm UAE (EDSA, AECOM Landscape) | 150,000–280,000 |
| UAE landscape design consultancy or contractor | 120,000–240,000 |
| Hospitality or resort landscape design specialist (UAE) | 140,000–270,000 |
Contract terms for this role in UAE
Landscape Designer roles carry a 30 day notice period in UAE. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 applies to your end-of-service gratuity at 21 days basic salary per year for the first five years.
Hire a Landscape Designer in UAE or Saudi Arabia
RFS delivers a shortlist of pre-screened Landscape Designer candidates in 48 to 72 hours. Retained search fee: 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation. 6-month replacement guarantee on all placements.
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