Nursery Workers Description OES Code: 79005 Nursery workers help to conserve natural resources and make the environment beautiful. They plant, tend, fertilize, and sometimes harvest flowers, shrubs, and other plants. They work indoors in greenhouses and water gardens, as well as outdoors in parks, private and public gardens, flower farms, and fruit orchards. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: minimum minimum – $6.77 New, experienced: $6.00 minimum – $8.50 3 yrs+ experience: $7.50 minimum – $11.00 Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Weekend, holiday, and overtime work is common during the summer and growing season which could run from February through August. Some employers have fringe benefits such as paid vacations, sick leave, holidays, and health insurance. Employment Trends Employment 1993 7,960 Projected Employment 2005 14,820 Growth Rate 1996-2006 86.1% Openings due to Separations 3,090 Employment Trends by California County Nursery Workers ranks among the top fifty fastest growing jobs in California. As more farm land in California is turned to housing and business use, the demand for landscaping plants, shrubs, and shade trees goes up. Also, the recent droughts in the state are increasing interest and demand for less thirsty and more drought resistant plants. California leads the U.S. in the production and use of ornamental plants in landscape projects and floral design. Job opportunities depend mainly on the construction industry, particularly home building. As the economy continues to recover, there should be a demand for trained Nursery Workers during all the 1990s. Advancement Generally, most workers advance to supervisory positions after years of experience and demonstrated knowledge of their field. In some cases, a two to four year college degree in horticulture may be necessary to advance to management positions. Highly skilled and experienced horticultural workers may also act as supervisors. They may also estimate the amount of different soil treatments needed to solve problems such as how much fertilizer per acre will make farmland the most productive. Getting the Job & Other Information Nurseries with greenhouses are the main employers of horticultural workers. Those looking for this job can read newspapers or telephone books, especially along the coast from San Mateo County south to San Diego where most of the largest growers are located. Summer or after school jobs can lead to full time jobs with the same employer. Applying directly to firms is a way of finding work. Colleges and universities have placement offices for horticultural degree candidates. The offices of the Employment Development Department is another source for jobs. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Most employers require that even beginners have some knowledge of how to care for the plants they grow. Helpful high school courses include chemistry, biology, and botany. Most workers start in entry level labor or sales jobs and work under an experienced horticulturist. Some employers require new employees to have taken courses given by community colleges or by the California Association of Nurserymen. Skills & Other Requirements Horticulture is the science of growing flowers, trees, shrubs, and other plants in gardens, orchards, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. A nursery is a place where plants are raised for sale, transplanting, testing and research. Nursery workers help to conserve natural resources and make the environment beautiful. They plant, tend, fertilize, and sometimes harvest flowers, shrubs, and other plants. They work indoors in greenhouses and water gardens, as well as outdoors in parks, private and public gardens, flower farms, and fruit orchards. Horticultural workers in nurseries are involved in the growing and selling of flowers and plants. Recording the growth of plants is an important part of the job. They must also know how to grow, transplant, feed, protect, store, prune, and handle plants for the best results. Other horticultural workers plant, prune, feed, and provide pest control for trees. Others help to plant and grow turf grass and help to keep up grounds and landscaping. These workers may help grow sod for sale, help sell seeds, fertilizers, and insect killers needed by every type of grower. Some workers specialize in planting, growing, and harvesting flowering bulbs and flowers (Farmworker, Bulbs) while others may harvest and bundle flowers as members of work crews (Flower Pickers). Nursery workers may also be known by where they work as Greenhouse Worker or by crop specialty or technique as Bean-Sprout Laborer, Hydroponics Worker. Some horticultural workers haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other things to improve the soil. They also must trap and poison pests, such as moles, gophers, and mice. These may also have to take care of and repair water cultivation and climate control systems. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Nursery Workers #520 Related Occupation: Horticulturalists #396 Training: California State Training Inventory   © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.