Horticulture Careers
WHAT
IS THE JOB?
Horticulture is an interesting, refreshing vocational field. If you
like working with plants, soil, and the environment and if you are interested
in nature, ecology and growing things, then this is the area for you.
Horticulture is a field which provides varied challenges in areas such
as design, construction, management, supervision, skilled working positions,
and counseling. The result is self-satisfaction and an enjoyable work
environment.
WHAT
ARE THE PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND
SKILLS NECESSARY FOR A CAREER IN HORTICULTURE?
Employment qualifications and skills vary greatly depending upon the
job. The more education and training that you have, the better your
opportunities industry-wide. Many horticulture positions require some
specialization or expertise, good work ethics, and the ability to communicate
well and work with others. Nursery sales, floristry, management, landscape
design, pest control and horticultural consulting require little physical
strength. Landscape installation and maintenance, urban forestry, park
and grounds maintenance are physically demanding and require strength
and stamina.
WHAT
ARE THE WORKING CONDITIONS AND SALARY?
Horticulture employment offers a variety of work environments with time
required both indoors and outdoors. Labor positions usually require
lifting, bending, stooping, and good physical condition is essential.
Salary varies and depends on the level of education, type of employment,
specific job tasks and skills. Entry level pay for labor positions range
from $7.50-$9.00 per hour. Experienced workers typically earn $9.00-$22.00
per hour. Management and supervisory positions have the greatest earnings
at $3,500 to $5,500 per month. Owners/ operators of many landscape maintenance
businesses earn between $4,500-$8,500 per month. Many residential landscape
installation contractors earn between $150,000-$500,000 per year, gross
income.
WHAT
ARE THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES?
Many job opportunities await graduates of the Las Positas College A.S.
program in horticulture. Just a few include: residential and commercial
landscape installation and maintenance; urban tree service; forestry;
park, grounds, and golf course maintenance; retail and wholesale nursery
operations and management; floristry; plant pest control and horticulture
consulting; and residential landscape design.
WHAT
IS THE EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK?
Increased interest in the quality of the environment, conservation,
and restoration projects are stimulating growth in the horticulture
industry. Quality nursery and landscape operations require skilled,
educated people. Long-term, secure prospects are good for the applicants
with college training such as those in the horticulture program offered
by Las Positas College.
