### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Floral Designers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			floral designers imageFloral designers use their sense of artistry and knowledge of different types of flowers to choose the appropriate flowers for each occasion.							
						Quick Facts:     Floral Designers2023     Median Pay
            						$34,690     per year
										$16.68     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    54,500Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -18% (Decline)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -9,800What Floral Designers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Floral designers arrange live, dried, and silk flowers and greenery to make decorative displays.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most floral designers work in retail businesses, usually flower shops and grocery stores.
            
                                                How to Become a Floral Designer
                                                
                        
Most floral designers have a high school diploma or the equivalent and learn their skills on the job in a few months.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for floral designers was $34,690 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of floral designers is projected to decline							 18 percent from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite declining  employment, about 4,700 openings for floral designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for floral designers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of floral designers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about floral designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Floral Designers Do 
            

						
Floral designers, also called florists, arrange live, dried, and silk flowers and greenery to make decorative displays. They also help customers select flowers and containers, ribbons, and other accessories.
Duties
Floral designers typically do the following:
Buy flowers and other products from wholesalers and suppliers to ensure that an adequate supply meets customers’ needs
Determine the type of arrangement desired, the occasion, and the date, time, and location for delivery
Recommend plants or flowers and greenery for each arrangement in accordance with the customer’s budget
Design floral displays that evoke a particular sentiment or style
Answer telephones, take orders, and wrap arrangementsFloral designers may create a single arrangement for a specific purpose or multiple displays for special occasions, such as weddings or funerals. They use artistry and their knowledge of different types of blooms to choose appropriate flowers or plants for each occasion. Floral designers need to know when flowers and plants are in season and available.
Floral designers also need to know the properties of flowers and other plants. Some flowers, such as carnations, can last for many hours outside of water. Other flowers are delicate and wilt more quickly. Some plants are poisonous to certain types of animals. For example, lilies are toxic to cats.
Floral designers must know the color varieties and average size of each flower and plant they sell. They may need to calculate the number of flowers that will fit into a particular vase or how many rose petals cover a space, such as the length of a walkway for a wedding procession.
Floral designers use their knowledge to recommend plants or flowers, greenery, and designs to customers. If the customer selects flowers, the designer uses that type of flower to arrange a visually appealing display. The designer may include items, such as stuffed animals or balloons, or use a decorative basket or vase when creating an arrangement.
Plants typically are showcased in attractive containers and are available for immediate sale. Although more complex floral displays must be ordered in advance, floral designers often create small bouquets or arrangements while customers wait. When they are responsible for multiple arrangements for a special occasion, such as a wedding or funeral, floral designers usually create and set up these decorations just before the event, then remove them afterward. Some floral designers work with event planners on a contract basis when creating arrangements for these types of occasions.
Floral designers also give customers instructions on how to care for flowers and plants, including what the ideal temperature is and how often the water should be changed. For plants or cut flowers, floral designers often provide plant or flower food as part of the sale.
Floral designers also order new flowers, greenery, and plants from suppliers. They process newly arrived shipments by stripping leaves that would be below the water line. Floral designers cut new flowers, transplant plants, mix plant or flower food solutions, fill containers with the food solutions, and sanitize workspaces. They keep most flowers and plants in cool display cases so that the products stay fresh and live longer.
Some floral designers have formal agreements with the managers of hotels and restaurants or the owners of office buildings and private homes to replace old flowers or plants with new ones on a recurring schedule—usually daily, weekly, or monthly—to keep areas looking fresh and appealing. They may work with interior designers in creating displays.
Floral designers who are self-employed or have their own shop also must do business tasks, such as advertising, pricing, inventory, and taxes. Some designers hire and supervise staff to help with these tasks.
 Work Environment
			Floral designersFloral designers perform customer-service duties, such as answering telephones and taking orders.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Floral designers held about 54,500 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of floral designers were as follows:
        Florists
                52%Self-employed workers
                20Grocery and specialty food retailers
                11Wholesale trade
                3Lawn and garden equipment and supplies retailers
                2Floral designers in retail businesses serve walk-in customers as well as customers placing orders over the telephone, on the Internet, or through other florists. Some floral designers who work on a contract basis when creating arrangements for events, such as weddings, have to travel to event locations.
Work Schedules
Many floral designers work full time, although their hours may vary with the work setting.
Independent shops are typically open during regular business hours. Floral departments inside grocery stores or other stores may stay open longer.
Floral designers are busier at certain times of the year, such as holidays, than at other times. Because freshly cut flowers are perishable, most orders cannot be completed too far in advance. Therefore, designers often work additional hours just before and during holidays. In addition, many part-time and seasonal opportunities are available around certain holidays, such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day.
 How to Become a Floral Designer

			Floral designersMost floral designers learn their skills on the job over the course of a few months.			
Most floral designers have a high school diploma or the equivalent and learn their skills on the job in a few months.
Education
Most floral designers have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Postsecondary programs may be useful for florists who want to start their own business. Programs in floral design and caring techniques for flowers and plants are available through private floral schools, vocational schools, and community colleges. Most of these programs offer a certificate or diploma. Classes in flower and plant identification, floral design concepts, and advertising and other business courses, as well as experience working in a greenhouse, are part of many certificate and diploma programs. Some community colleges and universities offer certificates or associate’s degrees in floriculture/floristry operations and management.
Training
New floral designers typically get hands-on experience working with an experienced floral designer. They may start by preparing simple flower arrangements and practicing the basics of tying bows and ribbons, cutting stems to appropriate lengths, and learning about the proper handling and care of flowers and plants. Floral designers also learn about the different types and growth properties of flowers and plants, how to use flowers in complex floral designs, and which flowers and plants complement each other.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
The American Institute of Floral Designers offers the Certified Floral Designer credential. Although certification is voluntary, it indicates a measure of floral design knowledge and expertise gained through work experience or education.
Advancement
Formal training in floral design may be helpful for people who are interested in opening their own business or in becoming a chief floral designer or supervisor.
Important Qualities
***Artistic ability*.** Floral designers use their sense of style to develop aesthetically pleasing designs.
***Creativity*.** Floral designers must develop appropriate designs for different occasions. They must also be open to new ideas because trends in floral design change quickly.
***Customer-service skills*.** Floral designers spend much of their day interacting with customers and suppliers. They must be able to understand what a customer is looking for, explain options, and provide high-quality products and service.
***Organizational skills*.** Floral designers need to be well organized to keep the business operating smoothly and to ensure that orders are completed on time.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Floral DesignersMedian annual wages, May 2023Art and design workers$51,660  Total, all occupations$48,060  Floral designers$34,690Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for floral designers was $34,690 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,960, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,650.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for floral designers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Grocery and specialty food retailers
                $35,680Florists
                34,700Lawn and garden equipment and supplies retailers
                34,640Wholesale trade
                33,710Many floral designers work full time, although their hours may vary with the work setting.
Independent floral shops are typically open during regular business hours. Floral departments inside grocery stores or other stores may stay open longer.
Floral designers are busier at certain times of the year, such as holidays, than at other times. Because freshly cut flowers are perishable, most orders cannot be completed too far in advance. Therefore, designers often work additional hours just before and during holidays. In addition, many part-time and seasonal opportunities are available around holidays for which flowers or plants are popular gifts, such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Floral DesignersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Art and design workers3%  Floral designers-18%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of floral designers is projected to decline				 18 percent from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite declining  employment, about 4,700 openings for floral designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Although there will continue to be demand for floral arrangements at events such as weddings and funerals, the need for floral designers is projected to decline along with the number of florist shops. Local florist shops often fulfill online orders from flower delivery services. This practice may increase the number of orders florist shops receive, but it also may dampen the demand for additional shops as each existing shop widens its customer service area.
In addition, grocery stores offer floral decorations, cut flowers, and plants. Customers may find it more convenient to buy flowers or plants at these stores than to travel to florist shops.
			

                        Employment projections data for     floral designers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Floral designers**
			27-1023
			54,500
			44,700
			-18
			-9,800
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Floral designers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of floral designers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Craft and Fine Artists**
            Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition.
            See How to Become One
            $52,910**Fashion Designers**
            Fashion designers create clothing, accessories, and footwear.
            Bachelor's degree
            $79,290**Graphic Designers**
            Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers.
            Bachelor's degree
            $58,910**Interior Designers**
            Interior designers make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting essential and decorative items.
            Bachelor's degree
            $62,510**Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners**
            Meeting, convention, and event planners arrange all aspects of events and professional gatherings.
            Bachelor's degree
            $56,920
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about becoming a Certified Floral Designer, visit
American Institute of Floral Designers
For more information about careers in floral design, visit
Society of American Florists

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Floral Designers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Floral Designers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/floral-designers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections 
PSB Suite 2135 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE  
Washington, DC 20212-0001 Telephone:1-202-691-5700 

www.bls.gov/ooh
Contact OOH