How to become a floral designer
Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What floral designers do
- Plan arrangement according to client's requirements, using knowledge of design and properties of materials, or select appropriate standard design pattern.
- Trim material and arrange bouquets, wreaths, terrariums, and other items, using trimmers, shapers, wire, pins, floral tape, foam, and other materials.
- Confer with clients regarding price and type of arrangement desired and the date, time, and place of delivery.
- Perform office and retail service duties, such as keeping financial records, serving customers, answering telephones, selling giftware items, and receiving payment.
- Deliver arrangements to customers, or oversee employees responsible for deliveries.
- Water plants, and cut, condition, and clean flowers and foliage for storage.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
Is floral designer a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 27% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Alaska $48,130
- California $47,040
- Massachusetts $46,460
- Hawaii $46,170
- Colorado $45,380
Floral Designers salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.