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
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
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
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
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
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