Career Opportunities in Horticulture and their Salaries

Some of the Career Opportunities in Horticulture are discussed in this article. Also, this piece provides a brief description of these careers and their salaries.

What is Horticulture? 

Horticulture is a branch of agriculture focused on the art and science of breeding and cultivating plants, primarily ornamental plants, and trees. There are many reasons why horticulture has emerged as a field of study. The most important reasons include 

Food and Nutrition: The common and the most important reasons why the field of horticulture exists. Vegetables, fruits, and other edible plants can be used as either ingredients or prepared food, providing the body with nutrients. 

Also, check out Career Opportunities in Photography.

Decoration Purposes: The environment is beautified with ornamental plants because of their aesthetic features. However, the exterior and the environment are not the only beneficiaries of the usefulness of the ornamental plants; the interior design can also be enhanced using the ornamental plants. 

Revenue: The plants can be a source of income, whether passive or not. This makes it possible for farmers and other careers associated with horticulture to gain money.

Source of medicine:  Herbs and parts of medicinal plants from cultivated plants is one way to provide healthcare for the body and mind. The plants contain the necessary elements that can be processed or applied in their raw form to produce healing effects. 

Career Opportunities in Horticulture

Horticulture jobs involve more than just farming or horticulture, despite popular misconceptions. We have careers that are concerned with the research of breeding techniques and the enhancement of the seeds used.

Also, we have some jobs specialized in the marketing and the business of horticultural products and resources. To add to the list, we also have areas concerned with post-harvest activities, safety, and training. 

Listed below are some career opportunities in Horticulture.

• Arborist
• Floriculturist
• Groundskeeper
• Gardener

Is the Horticultural Industry Viable? 

The answer to the question is yes – once you have a passion for tendering to plants and understand their importance, it is easy to fall in love with the horticultural field.

By 2026, the global horticulture market is expected to reach USD 40.24 Billion at a CAGR of 10.2% from USD 20.77 Billion in 2021. This is a shred of evidence that the field is sustainable and there is room for expansion in the future. 

Furthermore, there are some reasons I will outline that make the careers in the field viable.

Climate change: Plant breeding and cultivation are being promoted worldwide to reduce the adverse effects of climate change.

Food: One of the necessities for man to live. Horticulture is essential to providing food, so careers in the industry will continue to expand. 

One can work for the Government, private companies, and research industries, and even work independently, owning their land or shops. 

Career Opportunities in Horticultural Industry

The article will discuss some of the horticulture occupations available to individuals who enjoy working with plants and in plant cultivation. However, suppose the sole reason why you are here is to get information.

In that case, you are also covered as the post talks about careers, roles and responsibilities, and salaries. 

The Career Opportunities in Holticure listed above are better discussed in these sections below.

Also, check out Career Opportunities in Anthropology.

Arborist 

An arborist specializes in landscape design with a focus on trees. They tend and manage trees performing activities such as cutting, removal, pruning, and managing the pests and diseases affecting trees. 

Duties of an Arborist

• Discuss the needs and types of trees when meeting with the clients and taking a tour of the location.
• Breeds and Grow plants for landscape design
• Examine the plant to identify the type of infection interfering with the trees’ typical circumstances.
• Pruning trees, trimming their branches, and, if required, scaling them to complete the work.
• Analyze the soil needs for tree planting.

Salary 

According to Zippia, the average salary of an arborist is $41,881yearly, and they can earn between $30,000 to $72,000 as a total salary package in a year. 

Floriculturist 

A floriculturist is an expert in growing and caring for flower plants. Floriculture is the parent business of horticulture, which deals with medicines, fragrances, interior, exterior, and landscape design. Either a greenhouse or an open field is used for floriculture.

Duties of a Floriculturist 

• Plant flowering plants, seedlings, and bulbs and take care of them as they emerge.
• Cultivate, de-bud, trim, and preserve ideal growth conditions for the flower plants to grow.
• Prunes bushes and vines while gathering seeds.
• Control the humidity and temperature in greenhouses, conservatories, and plant houses.
• Plan the plant layout and mark them out.
• Oversee routine farming tasks, including fertilizing and insect and weed management.
• Implement floral arrangement concepts for a presentation or customer showcase
• Apply insecticides on ornamental plants and flowers.
•  Collect, store, and prepare the plants for processing before sending or selling.

Salary

Comparably, floriculturists earn an average salary of $59,179 per year; their compensation packages range from $35,000 to $105,000. 

Also, check out Career Opportunities in Public Relations.

Groundskeeper 

Groundskeepers are responsible for tending to the grounds of parks, schools, fields, and stadiums to ensure the conditions are suitable for the people’s pleasure or other purposes. 

Duties of a Groundskeeper 

• Evaluate and record situations that reduce the property’s aesthetic or safety value.
• Take care of dangerous circumstances and debris removal.
• Assist suppliers and contractors with maintenance or activities that take place on-site.
• Installs, put up, takes down, moves, maintains, and repairs specialized furniture, materials, and supplies for seasonal and special events.
• Keep an eye on the weather and operates and maintain equipment for tasks like snow removal, ice treatment, mowing, planting, cultivating, pruning, and other tasks.

Salary 

According to a study conducted by Salary.com, the annual average salary of a groundskeeper is $39,799 per year. The total compensation falls between $28,875 to $55,055. 

Gardener 

A gardener works in a garden tending to the various plants planted in the garden. They monitor the growth of the plants and perform usual activities such as trimming, weeding, fertilizing, and harvesting. 

Duties of Gardener 

• Perform routine clean-up to ensure the garden is in good condition and according to the specifications of their clients.
• Mow the lawn, empty the trash, manage weed control, and leaf raking.
• Take care of fresh plants, flowers, and trees.
• Offer recommendations on issues for the garden.
• Draft quotes and reports outlining the expenses of plants and other garden essentials.
• Follow safety and health guidelines to provide a secure workplace for employees and customers.

Salary 

According to Zippia, the average hourly rate of a gardener is $15.82. The total compensation packages fall between $22,000 to $47,000. 

Other careers in the field include the following.

• Aerial Applicator  
• Aeroponics 
• Aquaponics
• Hydroponics
• Agronomist
• Enologist
• Grower
• Plant Breeder
• Urban Farmer 
• Forester 
• Landscape Architect 
• Plant Propagator 
• Lawn care specialist
• Nursery Worker 
• Florist
• Irrigation Technician 

Final Notes on Career Opportunities in Horticulture and their Salaries

The horticulture sector offers several job prospects to those who are interested. Careers in the sector are plentiful because of their advantages to the environment and its residents. The field will appeal to plant enthusiasts of all kinds.

Before you go, check out Career Opportunities in Aviation.