Floral designers held about 44,400 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of floral designers were as follows:
| Florists | 57% |
| Self-employed workers | 18 |
| Food and beverage stores | 12 |
| Wholesale trade | 3 |
Floral 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.
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.
Floral designers typically have an interest in the Building, Creating and Persuading interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Creating interest area indicates a focus on being original and imaginative, and working with artistic media. The Persuading interest area indicates a focus on influencing, motivating, and selling to other people.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Creating or Persuading interest which might fit with a career as a floral designer, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Floral designers should also possess the following specific qualities:
Artistic ability. Designers use their sense of style to develop aesthetically pleasing designs.
Creativity. Floral designers use their artistic abilities and knowledge of design to develop appropriate designs for different occasions. They also must be open to new ideas, as trends in floral design change quickly.
Customer-service skills. Floral designers spend a substantial part of their day interacting with customers and suppliers. They must be able to understand what a customer is looking for, to explain options, and to ensure high-quality flowers 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.
The median annual wage for floral designers was $29,880 in May 2021. 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 $22,830, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $44,820.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for floral designers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Food and beverage stores | $30,350 |
| Wholesale trade | 30,020 |
| Florists | 29,700 |
Many 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.
Employment of floral designers is projected to decline 21 percent from 2021 to 2031.
Despite declining employment, about 3,800 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.
For more information about becoming a Certified Floral Designer, visit
American Institute of Floral Designers
For more information about careers in floral design, visit