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Floral Designer

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AVG. SALARY

$33,440

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EDUCATION

High school (GED) +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Decreasing

What They Do

Floral Designers Career Video

Insider Info

Florists cut and place flowers in floral arrangements. The arrangement could be a corsage, a funeral wreath or a whole room full of floral decorations.

Florists usually work in small flower shops or flower retail outlets as designers, managers or owners. Growing numbers of floral designers work in floral departments of large grocery stores.

Wherever they work, the duties of florists are similar. They purchase live flowers from growers; cut, clean and care for them; design arrangements for customers and price them appropriately. Floral designers also work with dried or artificial flowers.

This is a good career for people with excellent listening skills. Florists often work in retail stores, where they deal with customers by phone or in person. When they design arrangements like bouquets, wreaths and baskets, they often take the customer's wishes into account. They consider the occasion, the customer's choice for color and type of flower, and a price limit.

"When a customer calls or stops by to order an arrangement, they usually have an idea of what they want," explains florist Ida Bloemon. "You have to be attentive, listening to what they're saying, and then ask the right questions to clarify the design you have in mind."

Creativity is also essential in this field. Designing floral arrangements involves more than just sticking some flowers together -- an artist's eye and a knack for combining colors are necessary.

"It's the ability to incorporate a potato into a St. Patrick's Day bouquet and make it look classy, or to come up with an exquisite funeral wreath at the last minute when you have no flowers left. That defines a truly good florist," says florist Jeannie Scott.

"If you're not going to be creative with your floral designs, people might as well buy their flowers at a supermarket," agrees Hollywood florist Richard Rousse.

Florists must also have an extensive knowledge of the flowers and plants they use. They should know the best way to care for them and understand their limitations in an arrangement.

"Some flowers will last a whole lot longer than others. You don't want to put a flower that will probably last four days with an arrangement of flowers that last 10 days," says Bloemon.

About one-third of floral designers own their flower shops, so business savvy is an important part of the job. A florist who owns a store may do almost everything from growing flowers to keeping books.

Since most florists work in retail stores, their hours depend on the shop hours. Floral designers usually work eight-hour days, five days a week, and this may include Saturdays and Sundays. Owners and managers can expect longer hours, since their level of responsibility is greater.

There are no special physical requirements to become a florist. Flower designers who own their own shops, however, may need some strength to lift large containers of flowers as well as load and unload deliveries.

Just the Facts

Want a quick overview of what this career is about?Check out Just the Facts for simple lists of characteristics.

At a Glance

Making life beautiful with flowers

  • Creativity is essential in this field
  • Most florists work in retail stores
  • Consider taking programs in floral design or horticulture

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

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