Nursery Workers
| Description |
OES Code: 79005 |
Nursery workers help to conserve natural resources and make the environment beautiful. They plant, tend, fertilize, and sometimes harvest flowers, shrubs, and other plants. They work indoors in greenhouses and water gardens, as well as outdoors in parks, private and public gardens, flower farms, and fruit orchards.
Wages, California
| Entry-Level Hourly Wage |
minimum |
| 25th Percentile |
minimum |
| 50th Percentile |
$8.06 |
| 75th Percentile |
$12.63 |
Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey
Hours & Benefits
Weekend, holiday, and overtime work is common during the summer and growing season which could run from February through August.
Some employers have fringe benefits such as paid vacations, sick leave, holidays, and health insurance.
Employment Trends, California
| Employment 1998 |
9,330 |
| Projected Employment 2008 |
12,360 |
| Percent Change 1998-2008 |
32.5% |
| Separations 1998-2008 |
2,390 |
Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
| Employment 1999 |
160 |
| Projected Employment 2006 |
210 |
| Percent Change 1999-2006 |
31.3% |
| Separations 1999-2006 |
20 |
Employment Trends by California County
Advancement
Generally, most workers advance to supervisory positions after years of experience and demonstrated knowledge of their field. In some cases, a two to four year college degree in horticulture may be necessary to advance to management positions.
Highly skilled and experienced horticultural workers may also act as supervisors. They may also estimate the amount of different soil treatments needed to solve problems such as how much fertilizer per acre will make farmland the most productive.
Getting the Job & Other Information
Nurseries with greenhouses are the main employers of horticultural workers. Those looking for this job can read newspapers or telephone books, especially along the coast from San Mateo County south to San Diego where most of the largest growers are located. Summer or after school jobs can lead to full time jobs with the same employer. Applying directly to firms is a way of finding work. Colleges and universities have placement offices for horticultural degree candidates. The offices of the Employment Development Department is another source for jobs.
For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank. |
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Some employers require new employees to have taken courses given by community colleges or by the California Association of Nurserymen.
Skills & Other Requirements
Horticulture is the science of growing flowers, trees, shrubs, and other plants in gardens, orchards, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. A nursery is a place where plants are raised for sale, transplanting, testing and research. Nursery workers help to conserve natural resources and make the environment beautiful. They plant, tend, fertilize, and sometimes harvest flowers, shrubs, and other plants. They work indoors in greenhouses and water gardens, as well as outdoors in parks, private and public gardens, flower farms, and fruit orchards. Horticultural workers in nurseries are involved in the growing and selling of flowers and plants. Recording the growth of plants is an important part of the job. They must also know how to grow, transplant, feed, protect, store, prune, and handle plants for the best results. Other horticultural workers plant, prune, feed, and provide pest control for trees. Others help to plant and grow turf grass and help to keep up grounds and landscaping. These workers may help grow sod for sale, help sell seeds, fertilizers, and insect killers needed by every type of grower.
Some workers specialize in planting, growing, and harvesting flowering bulbs and flowers (Farmworker, Bulbs) while others may harvest and bundle flowers as members of work crews (Flower Pickers). Nursery workers may also be known by where they work as Greenhouse Worker or by crop specialty or technique as Bean-Sprout Laborer, Hydroponics Worker.
Some horticultural workers haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, and other things to improve the soil. They also must trap and poison pests, such as moles, gophers, and mice. These may also have to take care of and repair water cultivation and climate control systems.
References
California Occupational Guide: #520
Related Occupation: Horticulturists
Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP) |
