A flower enthusiast with a knack for design can make an enjoyable career as a florist. Post-secondary schools offer educational programs, but most florists learn through on-the-job training. In addition to know-how, a florist needs organizational abilities and customer service skills. (see Ref. 1, How to Become One) Although the work can be fulfilling, a florist's pay is typically modest.

Florist Pay Range

Annual salaries for florists ranged from $20,110 to $43,150 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average hourly pay for florists was $14.01, or the equivalent of $29,140 annually. Florists held 46,490 jobs in 2013.

Florist Pay by Industry

The largest number of floral designers -- 30,580 -- worked in florist shops, receiving average annual wages of $29,140, according to the BLS. Grocery stores employed an additional 7,660 workers at average yearly pay of $26,310. The top-paying industry was travelers' accommodations, where 140 jobs paid an average annual salary of $36,110.

Importance of Location

In Hawaii, the top-paying state for florists, florists averaged $42,420 annually, according to the BLS. Florists in New Jersey averaged $35,170 per year. California featured 3,190 florist jobs, the most of any state, and reported average annual wages of $29,950.

Floral Designers salary

• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $43,150 ($20.75/hour)
• Median Annual Salary: $29,140 ($14.01/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $20,110 ($9.67/hour)