Nursery Workers

Nursery Operations Option (Major code: 133)
Nature of the Work Working Conditions Employment Training, Other Qualifications and Advancement What can I do with this major? Job Outlook Earnings Related Occupations Job Resource Links

Significant Points

• Opportunities should be very good, especially for workers willing to work seasonal or variable schedules, because of significant job turnover and increasing demand by nurseries.
• Many beginning jobs have low earnings and are physically demanding.
• Most workers learn through short-term on-the-job training.
  

Nature of the Work

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

Each year, there is a magic date for gardeners: the last frost. After this date, it's usually safe to plant the vegetable garden and flower beds. While a few gardeners grow their own seedlings, most people let the nursery do the hard work for them. This means that nursery workers are the ones who encourage seeds to sprout and nurse the seedlings to health. In a way, it's like parenting, as the seedlings must be prepared for the outside world. Nursery workers do this quite literally, since most seedlings are started indoors and must be "hardened off" to be planted outside successfully.

In addition to seed-starting, 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. 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 them, removing weeds, and adding water to irrigation systems. They feel plants' leaves and note their 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 all their time caring for plants. Others 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. They also put together shipping 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.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, nursery workers provide a service to customers however they have a low level of social contact and work alone much of the time. Work is usually outdoors.  However, they sometimes work indoors in greenhouses and hydroponic gardens. Workers sometimes wear protective attire such as work gloves.  They may wear hats and sunscreen to protect them from the sun. They are sometimes exposed to hazardous situations that may produce cuts or minor burns.  There is only a low likelihood of slight injury from this exposure. They may also be exposed to extremely hot or cold weather while working outdoors.

Greenhouse workers enjoy relatively comfortable working conditions while tending to plants indoors. However, during the busy seasons, when landscape contractors need plants, work schedules may be more demanding, requiring weekend work. Moreover, the transition from warm weather to cold weather means that nursery workers might have to work overtime with little notice given in order to move plants indoors to protect them from a frost.

Workers are expected to fully complete and be accurate in their work.  Errors could harm plants and cause nurseries to lose money.  Work may be full time or part time and often workers work weekends and long days during the summer and growing seasons.

Employment

Information about the number of workers is not available specifically for nursery workers. However, they are part of the larger group of "farm, crop, nursery and greenhouse workers." Nationally, about 616,700 people work in this large occupation group.

In Ohio, this is a small occupation. About 2,620 nursery workers work in the state.

Clark State graduates of the Horticulture Industries Technologies reported that they were employed at the following locations in the United States.

There usually are no minimum educational requirements for entry-level positions as little or no previous work experience is need however, most employers will require applicants to have a high school degree or GED.  Entry-level 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.

To work as a nursery worker however, you must be self-motivated, have good interpersonal skills, and enjoy working outdoors.  While no formal education is required beyond high school, some two-year colleges offer helpful courses in especially in grafting.  Workers who deal directly with customers must get along well with people.  Nursery workers need the ability to follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order and notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.  Other abilities include the ability to determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job;  inspect and evaluate the quality of products, Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material, and imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Nursery workers who apply pesticides must have a license. Requirements vary by state.  In Ohio, people who want licenses to work with pesticides should request application materials from the Department of Agriculture.  After reviewing completed application forms, the department will send information on study and testing requirements.  Exam requirements vary by the type of license or certificate.  To request an application, contact:

Ohio Department of Agriculture
Division of Plant Industry and Pesticide Regulation
8995 East Main Street
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Phone: 614.728.6200
Fax: 614.466.6124
E-mail: agri@odant.agri.state.oh.us
http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/

If driving is an essential part of a job, employers look for applicants with a good driving record and some experience driving a truck.  Some employers require applicants to have a driver's license.

Skilled nursery workers who have good communication skills may become supervisors.  Those who have a talent for caring for a certain type of plant may advance to managing that department.  Taking courses in horticulture may help nursery workers advance.  Some workers with groundskeeping backgrounds may start their own businesses after several years of experience.

Learn about Clark State's Horticultural Industries Technologies.

What can I do with this major?

This information will help you connect your college major with various career fields. Choose either the PDF or HTML version to find an outline of common career areas, typical employers, and strategies designed to maximize your success in a career. Choose Links to find a list of websites that provide information regarding college majors and related careers.

Keep in mind that the information sheets and websites are representative of typical career paths associated with each major and not a comprehensive list. You may want to explore information and websites from multiple majors to help you learn about a wide range of career opportunities.

Disclaimer: Please note that the websites listed under Links are not maintained by the Career Center but are provided as a convenience to students.

Job Outlook

Nursery and greenhouse workers should experience some growth in this period, reflecting the increasing demand for landscaping services. Outlook information is not available specifically for nursery workers. However, this occupation is included in the larger group of "farm, crop, nursery and greenhouse workers." Nationally, the number of jobs for workers in this group is expected to grow more slowly than average through the year 2012.

Interest in gardening has grown in recent years and is expected to continue growing. In addition, the number of professional buildings, shopping malls, and homes needing new or updated landscaping should increase as well. As a result of these factors, more people will buy plants. The increased demand for plants should increase the number of jobs for nursery workers who tend plants. However, the number of new nursery workers hired will be slowed by the fact that nurseries make only a small profit off plants. Nurseries must be sure not to spend too much money on labor.

Regardless of the rate of growth, job openings will occur. This occupation has a high rate of turnover because many jobs are part-time. In addition, some people take these jobs to earn money for school or until they find a better-paying job.

In Ohio, the number of jobs for nursery workers is expected to grow about as fast as average. About 106 job openings are expected each year.

Earnings

Wage information is not available specifically for nursery workers. However, they are part of the larger group of "farmworkers and laborers." The median wage for these workers is $1,310 per month ($7.55 per hour). Half of these workers earn between $1,210 and $1,470 per month ($6.98 and $8.47 per hour).

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.

In Ohio, the median wage for nursery workers is $1,500 per month ($8.63 per hour). Half of all nursery workers earn between $1,310 and $1,790 per month ($7.58 and $10.34 per hour). The wages for nursery workers in selected cities are given below:

Clark State graduates of Horticultural Industries Technology (all options) reported this salary information for the previous four years.

Sources: 2006-2007 Occupational Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm)
Clark State Graduate Placement Report
Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) Program

Job/Internship Resource Links - Go to the Local and National Job Bank page for more sites.

American Public Gardens Association
American Society of Landscape Architects
Chicago Botanic Gardens - Internship Program
Horticulture Magazine
Job-e-Job
Jobs in Horticulture
National Arborist Association
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association
OSU:College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences
Professional Lawn Care Association of America
WeedJobs
Weed Science Society of America

Employers - Look under Employment for employers who have hired Clark State graduates!

Acorn Farms
Big C Lawn & Landscape
Buckeye Gardening
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Columbus Zoo
Davey Tree Expert Company
Essentially English Gardens
Freshwater Farms
Garber Seeder Company
Green Care Lawn & Landscape Maintenance
Grunder Landscaping
Hawks Nursery
Holden Arboretum
Kroger Northern Floral Center
Metro Parks - Westerville, Ohio
North Dayton Garden Center
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
R & S Landscaping
Rothschild Berry Farm, Inc.
San Diego Golf Academy
Scarff's Nursery, Garden Center and Landscape
Sylvania Pace Setters Park
The Siebenthaler Company
Toledo Botanical Garden
Turpin Farms
West Michigan Whitecaps Baseball Park
Wm A. Natorp Company