All careers › Floral Designers
Florist: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $28,600lowest 10% earn less
- $32,81025th percentile
- $37,360median
- $45,70075th percentile
- $51,000top 10% earn more
Floral designers, the BLS category that covers florists, earned a median of $37,360 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to decline 5.6% from 2025 to 2035[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- -5.6%[2]
- Openings per year
- 5,200[5]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[6]
How much do florists make?
The median wage for floral designers was $37,360 a year, or $17.96 an hour[1]. That means half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was $39,520 a year, or $19.00 an hour[7]. For comparison, the median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[4].
The range is fairly narrow. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28,600 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $32,810[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $45,700, and the top 10% earned more than $51,000[3]. Hourly, those same boundaries were $13.75, $15.78, $21.97 and $24.52[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
| Measure | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3][8] | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile[3][8] | $32,810 | $15.78 |
| Median[1] | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| 75th percentile[3][8] | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| 90th percentile[3][8] | $51,000 | $24.52 |
About 40,590 people worked as floral designers in wage and salary jobs[10]. These figures leave out self-employed workers, business owners and partners in unincorporated firms. They also leave out bonuses that are not tied to production and the cost of benefits like health insurance[11]. The Employment Projections data, which does include the self-employed, says 13.9% of floral designers were self-employed in 2025[12].
Pay by state and city
Alaska had the highest median annual wage at $48,130, followed by California at $47,040 and Massachusetts at $46,460[13]. Mississippi had the lowest published median at $29,370[13].
California had the most floral designer jobs (4,080), followed by Texas (3,100), Florida (2,600), New York (2,330) and Pennsylvania (1,840)[14].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[15], Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim had the highest median at $48,200[15]. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom ($47,910) and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario ($47,560) came next[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, at 2,310[16].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska[13] | $48,130 | 80 |
| California | $47,040 | 4,080 |
| Massachusetts | $46,460 | 870 |
| Hawaii | $46,170 | 380 |
| Colorado | $45,380 | 790 |
| New York | $45,260 | 2,330 |
| New Jersey | $45,190 | 1,020 |
| Oregon | $44,730 | 710 |
| Vermont | $44,720 | 110 |
| Washington | $44,460 | 910 |
| New Hampshire | $43,230 | 220 |
| District of Columbia | $42,950 | 70 |
| Maryland | $41,020 | 460 |
| Delaware | $39,630 | 100 |
| Nevada | $39,600 | 440 |
| Connecticut | $39,220 | 490 |
| Virginia | $37,350 | 980 |
| Minnesota | $37,190 | 580 |
| North Carolina | $37,190 | 990 |
| Arizona | $36,860 | 390 |
| Idaho | $36,830 | 330 |
| Florida | $36,770 | 2,600 |
| Rhode Island | $36,420 | 310 |
| Indiana | $36,280 | 800 |
| Tennessee | $36,220 | 890 |
| Utah | $35,980 | 830 |
| Maine | $35,930 | 290 |
| Nebraska | $35,930 | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,920 | 1,840 |
| Michigan | $35,890 | 1,640 |
| Illinois | $35,880 | 1,760 |
| Ohio | $35,790 | 1,520 |
| Georgia | $35,440 | 1,020 |
| Iowa | $35,340 | 430 |
| North Dakota | $35,290 | 170 |
| Texas | $35,080 | 3,100 |
| Wyoming | $35,020 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $35,010 | 1,030 |
| Kentucky | $34,940 | 430 |
| Alabama | $34,430 | 470 |
| Missouri | $34,210 | 1,160 |
| Montana | $34,100 | 290 |
| South Dakota | $33,910 | 190 |
| New Mexico | $33,870 | 170 |
| South Carolina | $32,000 | 500 |
| Kansas | $31,190 | 490 |
| Louisiana | $30,000 | 430 |
| Arkansas | $29,910 | 420 |
| West Virginia | $29,860 | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $29,660 | 450 |
| Mississippi | $29,370 | 290 |
How to become a florist
- First: finish high school or get the equivalent. That is the typical education for entry, and no work experience in a related job is needed[6].
- Next: learn on the job. New designers usually work alongside an experienced designer and start with simple arrangements, bows and ribbons, stem cutting, and flower care[17].
- Then: build skills over a few months. BLS describes the training as moderate-term on-the-job training, and the OOH says skills are picked up in a few months[6][18].
- Optional: take a floral design program. Private floral schools, vocational schools and community colleges offer them, and some give a certificate or diploma[19]. They may be useful for people who want to start their own business[19]. Formal training may also help someone who wants to become a chief designer or supervisor[20].
Certification is voluntary. It shows a measure of floral design knowledge gained through work or education[21].
The OOH names artistic ability, creativity, customer-service skills and organization as important qualities[22][23][24][25].
What florists do
O*NET describes the job as designing, cutting and arranging live, dried or artificial flowers and foliage[26]. Typical tasks include:
- Planning an arrangement to fit what the client wants[27].
- Trimming materials and building bouquets, wreaths, terrariums and other items[27].
- Talking with clients about price, type of arrangement, and delivery details[27].
- Running the shop, including records, customers, phone calls, gift sales and payments[27].
- Wrapping and pricing finished arrangements[27].
- Delivering orders or overseeing the people who do[27].
- Caring for flowers and ordering flowers and supplies from wholesalers and growers[27].
Workers in the O*NET listing report job titles such as Floral Artist, Floral Studio Designer and Wedding Decorator[28].
Where they work
Florist shops are the largest employer, accounting for 55% of floral designers in 2025[29]. In a shop, designers serve walk-in customers and handle orders by phone, online, or from other florists[30]. Some work on contract for events such as weddings and travel to the event site[30].
Many floral designers work full time, with hours that vary by setting[31]. Independent shops usually keep regular business hours, while floral departments in grocery or other stores may stay open longer[32]. Work is busier around holidays. Fresh flowers are perishable, so orders usually cannot be finished far ahead, and designers often work extra hours just before and during holidays[33]. Part-time and seasonal openings are common around Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day[33].
Job outlook
BLS projects floral designer employment to decline 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 45,200 jobs to 42,700[2]. Across all occupations, employment is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[34].
Even so, about 5,200 openings a year are projected[5]. Openings include jobs that come up when people leave the occupation, not only new positions[5]. Each year, 6.8% of workers leave the labor force and 5.5% move to a different occupation[35].
Is it a good fit?
The entry path is short. It needs a high school diploma, no related experience, and a few months of on-the-job learning[6][18]. Pay is below the all-occupations median, at $37,360 compared with $50,980[1][4]. Pay is higher in some states, such as Alaska, California and Massachusetts[13]. Employment is projected to shrink, though turnover still creates openings each year[2][5]. Holiday weeks bring extra hours, and the work involves both design and customer service[33][27].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a florist make an hour?
- The median hourly wage for floral designers was $17.96 in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $13.75 and the 90th percentile was $24.52[8].
- Do you need a degree to be a florist?
- No. The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent[6]. Floral design programs exist, but they are optional[19].
- How long does it take to become a florist?
- The OOH says the skills are usually picked up through a few months of on-the-job learning[18].
- Is floral design in demand?
- Employment is projected to decline 5.6% from 2025 to 2035[2]. About 5,200 openings a year are still projected, including replacements for workers who leave[5].
- What is the highest paying state for florists?
- Alaska had the highest median annual wage at $48,130, then California at $47,040[13].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Floral Designers in the US was $37,360 per year and $17.96 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Floral Designers is projected to decline 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 45,200 to 42,700 jobs (a change of -2,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Floral Designers: 10th percentile $28,600, 25th percentile $32,810, 75th percentile $45,700, 90th percentile $51,000. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 5,200 openings for Floral Designers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Floral Designers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Floral Designers was $39,520 per year and $19.00 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Floral Designers: 10th percentile $13.75, 25th percentile $15.78, 75th percentile $21.97, 90th percentile $24.52. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 40,590 people were employed as Floral Designers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 13.9% of Floral Designers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Floral Designers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Floral Designers jobs: California 4,080; Texas 3,100; Florida 2,600; New York 2,330; Pennsylvania 1,840. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Floral Designers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $48,200; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $47,910; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $47,560; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $47,220; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $47,140; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $47,040; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $46,870; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $46,520. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Floral Designers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,310 (median $45,760); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,330 (median $48,200); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,230 (median $36,200); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,120 (median $36,170); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 940 (median $37,190); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 860 (median $37,740). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Floral Designers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Floral Designers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 27-1023.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Floral Artist, Floral Business Owner, Floral Clerk, Floral Studio Designer, Florist, Wedding Decorator. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of floral designers in 2025: Florists 55%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Floral Designers: 6.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.