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Nursery Workers


At a Glance

  • Work with a variety of trees, flowers, and shrubs
  • Work alone most of the time
  • Work outdoors or in greenhouses
  • May work long hours (including weekends) during growing seasons
  • Train on the job
  • May need a license if working with pesticides

Career summary

Nursery workers grow, transplant, and care for plants and trees for sale.

#No alternate titles CJ

Nursery workers prepare greenhouse beds or nursery acreages for planting. They shovel, rake, and screen soil to fill cold frames and hot beds. They use wheelbarrows to haul materials, such as fertilizer and peat moss, to condition the soil. They drive tractors to fertilize, harvest, and spray plants. Some nursery workers plant grass seed or grass plugs. When the grass matures, workers cut, roll, and stack the resulting sod.

Nursery workers care for plants by pruning, removing weeds, and watering. They feel plants' leaves and note the coloring to detect the presence of bugs or disease. Workers apply chemicals to kill bugs or molds on plants. They may also trap moles, gophers, and mice that are harming plants. In addition, they graft plants and trees into different rootstock to reduce disease.

Some nursery workers spend their time caring for plants. They also regulate greenhouse conditions for optimum plant health. Other nursery workers answer customers' questions and help them select plants. They may transport large plants or trees to customers' vehicles using wheelbarrows.

Some nursery workers prepare cut flowers for shipping. They dip flowers in disinfectant, count them into bunches, and place them in boxes. In addition, workers prepare some plants for sale by digging them out of the ground and wrapping their roots in burlap or other protective materials. Some may deliver plants and flowers to customer homes.

Related careers

This career is part of the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to nursery workers.

Common work activities

Nursery workers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, nursery workers:

Interpersonal relationships

Physical work conditions

Work performance

Hours/travel

Physical demands

Nursery workers frequently:

It is important for nursery workers to be able to:

It is not as important, but still necessary, for nursery workers to be able to:

Skills and abilities

Nursery workers need to:

Communicate

Reason and problem solve

Perceive and visualize

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a nursery worker, you typically need to:

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

You may need a certificate before you can apply pesticides to plants. Certification programs are available through nursery associations or your state agriculture department.

On-the-job training

Nursery workers usually receive informal training on the job from experienced workers. On the job, you learn to:

Training may last up to one month. However, it's important to remember that nursery workers continually learn new skills as new flowers and plants arrive or are cultivated.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Some employers require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers require applicants to have a driver's license. Employers prefer to hire applicants who have knowledge about caring for plants.

Employers look for applicants who are physically able to do the job.

Some nursery workers may improve their chances of being hired by voluntarily becoming certified. Certification as a Professional Horticulturist (CPH) is available through the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association. Contact information for the WSNLA can be found in the Other Resources section of this description.

#CPH is still offered by assn, 3/17/09, & 3/8/11, 4/10/13, 3/10/15, 4/8/19 cj.

Tips

Combining technical training with on-the-job training is helpful for entering this field. Horticulture courses, sales ability, and supervisory experience are important assets for advancement, as is an understanding of business principles and communication skills.

Costs to workers

Workers who apply pesticides must obtain a license from the Washington State Department of Agriculture. There is an annual fee.

Licensing/certification

If a nursery worker is going to apply pesticides, they need to obtain a license from the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

For information on pesticide application licensing, contact:

Washington State Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Management Division (external link)
PO Box 42560
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
877.301.4555

#Verified address & URL no changes. 2/16/12 lh & 4/10/13, 3/10/15, 12/12/16, 4/8/19 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link).

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse (SOC 45-2092)

Location
Pay Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Washington Hourly $11.67 $11.99 $13.25 $14.96 $18.10
Monthly $2,022 $2,078 $2,296 $2,593 $3,137
Yearly $24,270 $24,930 $27,560 $31,120 $37,640
    Bellingham Hourly $11.81 $11.97 $12.44 $14.32 $16.66
Monthly $2,047 $2,074 $2,156 $2,482 $2,887
Yearly $24,571 $24,900 $25,889 $29,805 $34,660
    Kennewick-Richland Hourly $11.82 $11.99 $12.41 $13.85 $15.24
Monthly $2,048 $2,078 $2,151 $2,400 $2,641
Yearly $24,583 $24,956 $25,819 $28,806 $31,709
    Longview Hourly $11.82 $12.01 $12.43 $15.11 $19.07
Monthly $2,048 $2,081 $2,154 $2,619 $3,305
Yearly $24,599 $24,964 $25,862 $31,428 $39,663
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes Hourly $12.49 $13.20 $14.38 $16.32 $19.86
Monthly $2,165 $2,288 $2,492 $2,828 $3,442
Yearly $25,996 $27,453 $29,898 $33,943 $41,306
    Olympia-Tumwater Hourly $11.84 $12.04 $12.41 $14.43 $15.80
Monthly $2,052 $2,087 $2,151 $2,501 $2,738
Yearly $24,631 $25,041 $25,818 $30,004 $32,856
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Hourly $11.88 $12.21 $13.72 $16.57 $20.18
Monthly $2,059 $2,116 $2,378 $2,872 $3,497
Yearly $24,719 $25,402 $28,540 $34,466 $41,980
    Spokane-Spokane Valley Hourly $13.30 $15.57 $17.38 $19.09 $22.29
Monthly $2,305 $2,698 $3,012 $3,308 $3,863
Yearly $27,649 $32,369 $36,144 $39,705 $46,360
    Vancouver Hourly $10.88 $11.79 $13.38 $15.01 $17.92
Monthly $1,886 $2,043 $2,319 $2,601 $3,106
Yearly $22,630 $24,523 $27,832 $31,206 $37,264
    Walla Walla Hourly $11.95 $12.47 $13.54 $14.60 $15.44
Monthly $2,071 $2,161 $2,346 $2,530 $2,676
Yearly $24,858 $25,939 $28,162 $30,377 $32,120
    Wenatchee Hourly $11.87 $12.13 $12.64 $14.80 $17.82
Monthly $2,057 $2,102 $2,191 $2,565 $3,088
Yearly $24,699 $25,218 $26,273 $30,792 $37,065
    Yakima Hourly $11.98 $12.40 $13.96 $15.44 $17.83
Monthly $2,076 $2,149 $2,419 $2,676 $3,090
Yearly $24,928 $25,806 $29,027 $32,122 $37,103
United States Hourly $10.53 $10.92 $11.69 $13.56 $16.92
Monthly $1,825 $1,892 $2,026 $2,350 $2,932
Yearly $21,900 $22,720 $24,320 $28,210 $35,200

Pay varies by employer, area of the country, and the worker's level of experience.

Nursery workers who work full time may receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation.

National wage information is not available specifically for nursery workers. However, they are part of the larger group of "farmworkers and laborers."

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse (SOC 45-2092)

Location Current employment Growth over 10 years Annual openings
This
occupation
All
occupations
Washington 65,614 14.2% 16.1% 12,553
    Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties 18,883 9.2% 13.4% 3,332
    Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties 3,659 9.4% 8.6% 647
    Benton and Franklin Counties 9,152 17.0% 15.0% 1,822
    Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties 454 15.2% 11.9% 88
    Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties 877 12.5% 15.2% 164
    Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties 2,838 12.5% 14.1% 527
    Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties 4,729 11.3% 14.6% 858
    King County 1,874 11.4% 19.6% 341
    Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties 20,275 18.7% 13.8% 4,162
    Pierce County 629 50.7% 15.2% 192
    Snohomish County 966 12.5% 12.4% 180
    Spokane County 1,069 16.1% 13.9% 206
United States 532,300 2.0% 5.2% 88,800

National employment

Major employers:

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is expected to grow slower than average. As nurseries and greenhouses consolidate there are fewer jobs. However, interest in gardening and new construction may lead to some growth in this occupation.

Job openings will occur as people leave the occupation. This occupation has a high rate of turnover because many jobs are part time and pay low wages.

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for nursery workers. However, they are part of the larger group of "farmworkers and laborers."

Other resources

American Horticultural Society (external link)
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA 22308
703.768.5700
Horticultural Research Institute (external link)
525 - 9th Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
202.789.2900
National Garden Clubs (external link)
4401 Magnolia Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
314.776.7574
Washington Business Week (external link)
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545
Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association (external link)
34400 Pacific Highway South, Suite 2
Federal Way, WA 98003
800.672.7711
253.661.6055

References

Career cluster

Career path

O*Net (external link) occupation

O*Net job zone (external link)

DOT occupations

Strong Interest Inventory

Holland occupational clusters

COPSystem