Nursery Workers

Career summary

#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:

• Farm and Ranch Workers
• Forestry Technicians
• Landscapers and Groundskeepers
• Packers and Packagers
• Science Technicians

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to nursery workers.

• Prepare nursery acreage or greenhouse beds for planting.
• Apply topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other materials to condition soil.
• Dig, rake, and screen soil for rocks and impurities.
• Plant grass seed or grass plugs. Cut, roll, and stack mature sod.
• Apply chemicals to plants to kill bugs and mold.
• Trap and destroy pests, such as moles, gophers, and mice.
• Dig up shrubs and trees and wrap their roots. Use wheelbarrows to move them.
• Use hand and gardening tools.
• Dip flowers into disinfectant before packing them.
• Count flowers into bunches and pack them in boxes.
• Put together packing boxes.
• Answer customers' questions.
• May operate tractors and other machinery and equipment.
• Inspect plants and bud ties for quality.
• Regulate greenhouse conditions.
• Clean work areas.

Common work activities

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

• Handle and move objects
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job
• Perform for or work with the public
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Document and record information
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, nursery workers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social contact.
• Communicate with others primarily by face-to-face discussions. They may also speak on the phone to customers.
• May work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work outdoors. However, they sometimes work indoors in greenhouses and hydroponic gardens.
• Sometimes wear protective attire such as work gloves. They may wear hats and sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun.
• May be exposed to extremely hot or cold weather while working.
• May work in very bright or very dim lighting conditions.
• May work physically near others.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be accurate in their work. Errors could harm plants and cause nurseries to lose money.
• Must sometimes match the pace of work to the speed of equipment.
• Must meet weekly and monthly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• May work full time or part time.
• May work weekends and long days during the summer and growing seasons.

Physical demands

Nursery workers frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for nursery workers to be able to:

• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.

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

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.

Skills and abilities

Nursery workers need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.

Reason and problem solve

• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

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

• Agricultural Production Operations
• Horticultural Science
• Horticulture Operations
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping
• Ornamental Horticulture
• Plant Science

Training

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

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

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:

• use equipment and tools;
• plant and water; and
• provide customer service.

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:

• Horticulture
• Physical Education

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 
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.

• Nursery Workers 

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

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.

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.

National employment

Major employers:

• Nurseries

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 
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA 22308
703.768.5700

Horticultural Research Institute 
525 - 9th Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
202.789.2900

National Garden Clubs 
4401 Magnolia Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
314.776.7574

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association 
34400 Pacific Highway South, Suite 2
Federal Way, WA 98003
800.672.7711
253.661.6055

References

Career cluster

• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Nursery Workers (45-2092.01) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Budder (405.684-010) 
• Horticultural Worker II (405.687-014) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Horticulturist

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising
• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Outdoor