How to Become a Floral Designer

If you are creative, like to work in a garden, and enjoy design, you might like to become a floral designer.

A floral designer is an expert in placing cut flowers into decorative arrangements.

A floral designer usually works with fresh flowers, but they may also use silk or dried flowers.

Their work might be given as a gift, used at a wedding or funeral, or for decorative purposes at an event.

While there is not a lot of growth in this field, there are plenty of job opportunities.

This is mostly due to the high amount of turnover caused by the low wages paid.

When you become a floral designer, you will need to be ready to work long hours, particularly on weekends and holidays, as these are the busiest times.

A floral designer is also known as a florist.

Education Requirements to Become a Floral Designer

Working as a floral designer is one of the only roles within the design industry that does not require any training after high school.

If you would like to become a floral designer the best way is to get a trainee position at a florist shop, where you will be taught the trade on the job.

Completing your high school diploma will give you the best opportunities to get that initial training as a floral designer.

Employers will look for potential florists that show creativity and commitment.

To help get the job, you should try and show these qualities in yourself.

If you have done art or design work at school, take some photos and include them with your resume.

While it isn’t essential, you can also complete a course in floral design.

These programs are run by private schools, vocational schools, and community colleges.

Programs last anywhere from a few days to a year, and teach a range of skills, from types of flowers to design principles.

Floral Designer Job Description

When you become a floral designer you will usually be employed within a florist’s shop.

Your role will be to prepare flowers arrangements for all types of purposes.

Some flowers may be for gifts.

Season occasions such as Valentine’s Day will call for different types of arrangements.

When you become a floral designer you will also need to fill larger orders for weddings and funerals.

You could also be contracted to provide decorative floral arrangements for events or functions.

Your day as a florist will begin with preparing any existing orders for a collection that day.

Each day most florist shops will prepare a certain amount of floral arrangements for the floor, which may be purchased by customers throughout the day.

You’ll also take phone orders, and work a register as the day progresses.

Here are some of the tasks of a floral designer:

• Taking phone orders
• Communicating with customers
• Communicating with suppliers
• Ordering flowers and supplies
• Filling orders for events
• Keeping up to date with new trends and styles

Floral Designer Salary and Career Path

When you become a floral designer, you’ll usually start as a trainee in a florist’s shop.

After a few months of training, you’ll have learned enough to work independently.

After a few years of work, many floral designers go on to run their own businesses.

As the salary is usually fairly low for an employee, those who own their own business will have the greatest opportunity to make a higher wage.

Many floral designers go on to work in related industries, such as fashion or interior design.

In these fields, they can apply the design techniques they learned as a floral designer.

The median salary for a floral designer is $23,000 a year.

The median 50% of florists earn between $18,000 and $29,000 a year.

Some similar roles to that of a floral designer include:

• Interior Decorator
• Interior Designer
• Fashion Designer
• Painter
• Sculptor

Working as a floral designer will prove rewarding if you enjoy design and are interested in floristry.

However, the low wages for this career as well as the limited scope for advancement mean that many people leave the industry after a few years of employment.

When you become a floral designer you have a unique opportunity to be a part of some of the most important events in people’s lives.

The below information is based on the 2024 BLS national averages.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

* Salary information based on the May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Floral Designers, OCC Code 27-1023, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a floral designer?

A floral designer arranges flowers (and a variety of other plants) in displays for a wide range of occasions (weddings, birthdays, etc.).

Floral designers can create bouquets, wreaths, corsages, centerpieces, boutonnieres, and many other things.

Professionals can use real, dried or silk flowers to create the arrangements.

The responsibilities of the job usually include not only arranging the actual composition, but also choosing the right containers and flowers, cutting them and adding any necessary accessories (toys, ribbons, etc.).

Floral designers can work in a florist shop, for various companies that organize events or they can be self-employed and work from their home.

How much do floral designers make?

Typically, floral designers can earn anywhere between $9 and $19 per hour.

Designers that are just getting started can expect to earn around $19.000, while experienced professionals can count on earning nearly $40.000 per year.

The average annual salary, according to BLS, is a little more than $27.000.

The cost of your services would certainly depend on your experience, on the client, and the occasion.

How much does it cost to become a floral designer?

You can earn a certificate from some community colleges or online platforms.

A 120-hour basic floral design certificate program in one of the institutes will cost you $2350 (books, supplies, flowers, and other materials included).

If you want to become a floral designer, you have to be ready to spend a lot on flowers, accessories, and containers.

Though the price of the supplies is relatively low, the overall cost of all the materials might be high.

You can become a certified floral designer by completing coursework and an online exam and paying a small fee (you will be required to complete education units every 3 years to maintain the certification).

What is the demand for floral designers?

The number of occupied floral designers is, unfortunately, expected to decrease by 6% from 2016 to 2026, according to BLS.

There will be a major drop in floral shop purchases; floral designers will concentrate on creating arrangements for various events.

Professionals can also be found in grocery stores and retail shops, not the traditional floral shops.

Job opportunities for floral designers will also be available in lawn and garden shops and wholesale suppliers.

Floral designers might expand their knowledge to become display artists or wedding consultants, for example.

How long does it take to become a floral designer?

You can choose to complete a one-year program where you will learn to take proper care of the flowers, handle various materials, and create appealing arrangements for practically any occasion.

Apply for a 2-year floral design associate’s degree program, in case you want to take your education to the next level.

The common topics include flower shop operations, seasonal flowers, color theory and design, and many others.

However, the majority of floral designers learns on the job.

You can begin your career by working as a delivery person or a cashier in a flower shop to gain the necessary experience.

How to Become a Floral Designer by State