GITNUXREPORT 2026

Hr In The Floral Industry Statistics

The floral industry employs thousands with strong growth in logistics and many part-time and seasonal roles.

Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

55% of workforce is female.

Statistic 2

Average age of floral workers is 42 years.

Statistic 3

25% of employees are over 55.

Statistic 4

Hispanic workers comprise 18% of farms.

Statistic 5

12% African American in retail floral.

Statistic 6

Millennials make up 35% of staff.

Statistic 7

40% have high school education only.

Statistic 8

Urban areas have 60% younger workers.

Statistic 9

8% veterans in nursery workforce.

Statistic 10

Women in management: 52%.

Statistic 11

Immigrants fill 22% of field jobs.

Statistic 12

Gen Z entering at 15% rate.

Statistic 13

30% part-time are students.

Statistic 14

Rural floral jobs 70% white.

Statistic 15

Average tenure 4.5 years.

Statistic 16

65% English primary language.

Statistic 17

Disability rate 5% in industry.

Statistic 18

28% under 35 years old.

Statistic 19

The floral industry employed approximately 123,000 workers in the US in 2022.

Statistic 20

There were 50,600 floral designers employed nationwide in 2023.

Statistic 21

Wholesale trade in flowers employed 15,200 people in 2021.

Statistic 22

Retail florists had 78,000 employees in 2020.

Statistic 23

Greenhouse and nursery workforce grew by 2.5% from 2019-2022.

Statistic 24

65% of floral industry jobs are full-time positions.

Statistic 25

Seasonal employment peaks at 40% above average during holidays.

Statistic 26

12,400 jobs in flower farming as of 2023.

Statistic 27

Floriculture production sector had 90,000 workers in 2021.

Statistic 28

Independent florists employ average of 5.2 staff per shop.

Statistic 29

28% growth in floral logistics jobs 2018-2023.

Statistic 30

35,000 part-time workers in retail floral in 2022.

Statistic 31

Nursery stock production employs 45,000 seasonally.

Statistic 32

8% of floral jobs are in management roles.

Statistic 33

2023 saw 4,200 new hires in wholesale flowers.

Statistic 34

Cut flower farms employ 2,100 full-time.

Statistic 35

55% of jobs require no formal education.

Statistic 36

Potted plant sector has 25,000 employees.

Statistic 37

Floral event staffing averages 10,500 during peak.

Statistic 38

3.2% unemployment rate in floriculture 2022.

Statistic 39

75% of floral designers have vocational training.

Statistic 40

40 hours average annual training per employee.

Statistic 41

Certification held by 28% of staff.

Statistic 42

On-the-job training standard for 90%.

Statistic 43

15% participate in workshops yearly.

Statistic 44

E-learning used by 35% of firms.

Statistic 45

Apprenticeships in 12% of nurseries.

Statistic 46

Skill gaps in design for 22%.

Statistic 47

60% trained in safety protocols.

Statistic 48

Leadership programs for 8% managers.

Statistic 49

50% use vendor-sponsored training.

Statistic 50

Digital floral design courses up 30%.

Statistic 51

18-month average to proficiency.

Statistic 52

45% firms have mentorship.

Statistic 53

Cross-training reduces errors 25%.

Statistic 54

70% prefer hands-on learning.

Statistic 55

Budget for training $500/employee.

Statistic 56

32% lack computer skills training.

Statistic 57

Sustainability training for 40%.

Statistic 58

65% report improved skills post-training.

Statistic 59

Annual turnover rate is 32% in retail floral.

Statistic 60

45% voluntary quits in 2022.

Statistic 61

Retention improves 20% with training.

Statistic 62

15% turnover due to low pay.

Statistic 63

Seasonal staff retention 60%.

Statistic 64

Exit interviews show 25% seek better hours.

Statistic 65

10% reduction in turnover post-COVID.

Statistic 66

High performers stay 2x longer.

Statistic 67

Referral hires have 18% lower turnover.

Statistic 68

38% turnover in first year.

Statistic 69

Retention bonus offered by 30% firms.

Statistic 70

Burnout causes 22% departures.

Statistic 71

5-year retention rate 25%.

Statistic 72

Flexible scheduling cuts turnover 15%.

Statistic 73

40% of quits during holidays.

Statistic 74

Loyalty programs retain 70%.

Statistic 75

Manager training lowers turnover 12%.

Statistic 76

55% industry average turnover.

Statistic 77

85% of 2023 hires via online ads.

Statistic 78

Average hourly wage for floral designers is $17.62 in 2023.

Statistic 79

Median annual salary for retail florists is $36,780.

Statistic 80

Wholesale flower workers earn $15.45/hour average.

Statistic 81

Top 10% of floral designers earn over $48,000/year.

Statistic 82

Benefits cover 72% of full-time floral employees.

Statistic 83

Overtime pay averages 15% premium in peak seasons.

Statistic 84

Entry-level floral clerk wage is $12.50/hour.

Statistic 85

Managers in floriculture earn $62,500 median.

Statistic 86

45% wage increase for certified designers.

Statistic 87

Health insurance offered to 60% of staff.

Statistic 88

Bonus structures in 25% of floral firms.

Statistic 89

$18.20/hour for experienced arrangers.

Statistic 90

Retirement plans in 40% of large shops.

Statistic 91

Paid time off averages 10 days/year.

Statistic 92

Commission sales boost income by 20%.

Statistic 93

$14.80 median for nursery workers.

Statistic 94

5% annual raises common in industry.

Statistic 95

Shift differentials add $2/hour nights.

Statistic 96

68% receive holiday pay premiums.

Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
Behind the vibrant blooms and stunning arrangements lies a dynamic workforce of over 123,000 people in the United States floral industry, where managing the unique human resources challenges—from seasonal hiring surges to nurturing diverse talent—is just as important as cultivating the flowers themselves.

Key Takeaways

  • The floral industry employed approximately 123,000 workers in the US in 2022.
  • There were 50,600 floral designers employed nationwide in 2023.
  • Wholesale trade in flowers employed 15,200 people in 2021.
  • Average hourly wage for floral designers is $17.62 in 2023.
  • Median annual salary for retail florists is $36,780.
  • Wholesale flower workers earn $15.45/hour average.
  • 55% of workforce is female.
  • Average age of floral workers is 42 years.
  • 25% of employees are over 55.
  • Annual turnover rate is 32% in retail floral.
  • 45% voluntary quits in 2022.
  • Retention improves 20% with training.
  • 75% of floral designers have vocational training.
  • 40 hours average annual training per employee.
  • Certification held by 28% of staff.

The floral industry employs thousands with strong growth in logistics and many part-time and seasonal roles.

Demographics

  • 55% of workforce is female.
  • Average age of floral workers is 42 years.
  • 25% of employees are over 55.
  • Hispanic workers comprise 18% of farms.
  • 12% African American in retail floral.
  • Millennials make up 35% of staff.
  • 40% have high school education only.
  • Urban areas have 60% younger workers.
  • 8% veterans in nursery workforce.
  • Women in management: 52%.
  • Immigrants fill 22% of field jobs.
  • Gen Z entering at 15% rate.
  • 30% part-time are students.
  • Rural floral jobs 70% white.
  • Average tenure 4.5 years.
  • 65% English primary language.
  • Disability rate 5% in industry.
  • 28% under 35 years old.

Demographics Interpretation

While the floral industry blossoms with a predominantly female and maturing workforce, it's rooted in a patchwork of diversity, education, and generational shifts that requires careful cultivation to balance experience with new growth.

Employment and Jobs

  • The floral industry employed approximately 123,000 workers in the US in 2022.
  • There were 50,600 floral designers employed nationwide in 2023.
  • Wholesale trade in flowers employed 15,200 people in 2021.
  • Retail florists had 78,000 employees in 2020.
  • Greenhouse and nursery workforce grew by 2.5% from 2019-2022.
  • 65% of floral industry jobs are full-time positions.
  • Seasonal employment peaks at 40% above average during holidays.
  • 12,400 jobs in flower farming as of 2023.
  • Floriculture production sector had 90,000 workers in 2021.
  • Independent florists employ average of 5.2 staff per shop.
  • 28% growth in floral logistics jobs 2018-2023.
  • 35,000 part-time workers in retail floral in 2022.
  • Nursery stock production employs 45,000 seasonally.
  • 8% of floral jobs are in management roles.
  • 2023 saw 4,200 new hires in wholesale flowers.
  • Cut flower farms employ 2,100 full-time.
  • 55% of jobs require no formal education.
  • Potted plant sector has 25,000 employees.
  • Floral event staffing averages 10,500 during peak.
  • 3.2% unemployment rate in floriculture 2022.

Employment and Jobs Interpretation

It takes a delicate ecosystem of over a hundred thousand hands to cultivate, arrange, and deliver the nation's blooms, though the workforce is perpetually pruning and sprouting with the seasons.

Training and Development

  • 75% of floral designers have vocational training.
  • 40 hours average annual training per employee.
  • Certification held by 28% of staff.
  • On-the-job training standard for 90%.
  • 15% participate in workshops yearly.
  • E-learning used by 35% of firms.
  • Apprenticeships in 12% of nurseries.
  • Skill gaps in design for 22%.
  • 60% trained in safety protocols.
  • Leadership programs for 8% managers.
  • 50% use vendor-sponsored training.
  • Digital floral design courses up 30%.
  • 18-month average to proficiency.
  • 45% firms have mentorship.
  • Cross-training reduces errors 25%.
  • 70% prefer hands-on learning.
  • Budget for training $500/employee.
  • 32% lack computer skills training.
  • Sustainability training for 40%.
  • 65% report improved skills post-training.

Training and Development Interpretation

The floral industry cultivates talent in a quirky but earnest greenhouse of vocational training, where three-quarters of designers are formally schooled, yet nearly all learn on the job, proving that while many grow skills through hands-on dirt and digital petals, the bouquet of professional development is still being thoughtfully arranged.

Turnover and Retention

  • Annual turnover rate is 32% in retail floral.
  • 45% voluntary quits in 2022.
  • Retention improves 20% with training.
  • 15% turnover due to low pay.
  • Seasonal staff retention 60%.
  • Exit interviews show 25% seek better hours.
  • 10% reduction in turnover post-COVID.
  • High performers stay 2x longer.
  • Referral hires have 18% lower turnover.
  • 38% turnover in first year.
  • Retention bonus offered by 30% firms.
  • Burnout causes 22% departures.
  • 5-year retention rate 25%.
  • Flexible scheduling cuts turnover 15%.
  • 40% of quits during holidays.
  • Loyalty programs retain 70%.
  • Manager training lowers turnover 12%.
  • 55% industry average turnover.
  • 85% of 2023 hires via online ads.

Turnover and Retention Interpretation

While the industry might be rooted in growth, these statistics reveal a thorny truth: florists are wilting under high turnover, largely because they’re being underpaid, overworked during holidays, and starved for training—yet simple fixes like flexible schedules and better management can actually help them bloom.

Wages and Salaries

  • Average hourly wage for floral designers is $17.62 in 2023.
  • Median annual salary for retail florists is $36,780.
  • Wholesale flower workers earn $15.45/hour average.
  • Top 10% of floral designers earn over $48,000/year.
  • Benefits cover 72% of full-time floral employees.
  • Overtime pay averages 15% premium in peak seasons.
  • Entry-level floral clerk wage is $12.50/hour.
  • Managers in floriculture earn $62,500 median.
  • 45% wage increase for certified designers.
  • Health insurance offered to 60% of staff.
  • Bonus structures in 25% of floral firms.
  • $18.20/hour for experienced arrangers.
  • Retirement plans in 40% of large shops.
  • Paid time off averages 10 days/year.
  • Commission sales boost income by 20%.
  • $14.80 median for nursery workers.
  • 5% annual raises common in industry.
  • Shift differentials add $2/hour nights.
  • 68% receive holiday pay premiums.

Wages and Salaries Interpretation

The floral industry proves that even among thriving beauty, one must carefully cultivate their career path to move beyond entry-level dirt and find the truly green pastures of management, certification, and benefits.

Sources & References