A florist is someone who makes decorative flower displays out of living, cut, and dried flowers as well as other greenery.
It is a great career for any one that is creative and artistic, loves plants, or just enjoys interacting with people during a special moment in their lives.
Florists work directly with customers to arrange flower displays for different types of events such as weddings, proms, and birthdays.
In addition to interacting with customers, florists are also responsible for handling monetary transactions, and keeping the workspace clean.
They also handle other administrative tasks like cutting cellophane, taking orders over the phone, and receiving bulk shipments of flowers.
Being a florist requires a lot of attention to detail and organization. So, it’s not surprising that those who want to become floral designers often wonder about the salary of a florist.
So how much do florists make? According to Salary.com, the average florist salary is just over $51,000.
Factors that Affect a Florist Salary
There are a few reasons why a florist salary could be higher for some florists than others.
Working at a Boutique Flower Shop
Floral designs have higher salaries if the shop has an excellent reputation, has a high production volume, and is known as a boutique flower shop.
Therefore, florists that work in a boutique flower shop can earn more than an average flower designer. The New York Institute of Art and Design reports that the average salary for a florist in this capacity is closer to $50,000 per year.
Additionally, boutique flower shops are popular for big events like weddings, birthdays, and baby showers. If you enjoy arranging flowers for those kinds of celebrations, that gives you all the more reason to work in a boutique shop.
Plus, arrangements for those types of events tend to cost more, therefore increasing the shop’s revenue and your income.
Working at a Shop That is Open Year-Round
In colder climates, some flower shops are only open when it is warm and close for the winter. Floral designers have higher wages at stores in warmer climates because they can work through the winter while plants continue to grow.
By working in a flower shop that is open year-round, you can maintain your average hourly wage of $13/hour for all 12 months of the year.
Having Valuable Previous Experience or Education
If you have a lot of experience at different flower shops or a degree in horticulture, you will command a higher salary as a florist.
Similarly, if you have a certification as a florist, your employment opportunities will be better. You can become a Certified Floral Designer by taking classes from an approved program by the American Institute of Floral Designers.
Helping with Other Aspects of the Business
Assisting with other aspects of the business will make you a more valuable employee. If you have prior experience in administrative or communications work, you might be able to negotiate a higher salary when onboarding as a florist.
As a florist, you might also help the flower shop you work at with other tasks such as:
- Customer relations
- Marketing
- Accounting
Being a versatile employee will raise a florist salary by making them indispensable to a company.
In addition to the business side of operations, you could also add value to your employment by delivering flower arrangements to their final destination.
By being willing to go out of your way to make the client happy, you could earn yourself good will with management and potentially a higher salary with. Plus, it is fun to see your arrangement on display for others to enjoy!
Open Your Own Flower Shop
While it might not increase your salary right away, opening your own flower shop is a great way to ultimately have greater control over your income. You can determine your salary without worrying about negotiating it or jumping through hoops.
According to Indeed, the average entrepreneur earns a salary of $63,837 annually. Plus, if you already have connections in your community, you could quickly begin to cultivate a robust clientele and boost your revenue and income even more.
Of course, opening your own flower shop is serious work. Typically, people who own their own business don’t punch out at five o’clock, at least for the first few years. There are many positive and negative aspects to running your own shop.
So you should carefully consider the pros and cons of entrepreneurship before launching your own business. Some people are made to own their own business! If that’s you, this could be a great opportunity to do what you love and make a good living doing it.
Work Environment for A Florist
Typically, a florist works at a flower shop or in a grocery store where flower displays are sold. Working at a flower shop or grocery store means florists work regular business hours throughout the week.
A florist’s work environment greatly depends on the customer and type of arrangement they are ordering.
For example, a bride might have a very particular floral arrangement in mind. She also is likely excited for her wedding, so you will have to listen to her intently and calm her down if she gets overwhelmed.
On the other hand, if a customer is ordering flowers for a funeral, they will be in a much different headspace.
Being mindful of your client’s situation will help you better serve your customers, while creating a pleasant work environment for yourself and your colleagues.
Interested in a Florist Career?
Check out Stratford Career Institute’s floral design course to determine if it’s the right fit for you.
You will learn everything it takes to become a master florist, including:
- Floriculture Design and Merchandising
- Exploring Careers in the Retail Flower Business
- Flower and Foliage Classification
- Conditioning and Storing Cut Flowers and Greens
- Mechanics and Supplies Used in Floral Design
- Boutonnieres and Corsages
- Constructing Wreaths and Holiday Arrangements
- Wedding Flowers
- Professional Organization
- How to Open and Operate a Successful Floral Business
Enroll today to get started!
RATE THIS POST
Loading...Explore a Florist Career
Stratford Career Institute offers many online courses on a variety of topics to propel you towards your favorite career. Take the next step and enroll in our florist distance learning class!