Why We Love It
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$69,880Potential Avg. Salary
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-1.9%Job Growth Rate
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Don't Take Work HomeCareer Attribute
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Green JobsCareer Attribute
Greenhouse managers are in charge of day-to-day operations at facilities that grow plants for the purpose of research and commercial usage. Your primary focus would be to implement greenhouse production practices and oversee all aspects of plant cultivation.
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What is a Nursery or Greenhouse Manager?
Duties
The various duties of a nursery or greenhouse manager include the following:
- Oversee nurseries that grow horticultural plants for a range of uses such as to trade, to sell on retail, to display at exhibits and for scientific research.
- Choose the types of horticultural plants to be cultivated, depending on funds, sales prospects and work orders from senior management.
- Assess conditions for plant cultivation whether it is at greenhouses or other natural settings, for planting and care routines.
- Undertake recruitment processes at the nursery or greenhouse for assistants, and provide on the job training in gardening techniques.
- Do regular checks of work areas to ensure that work is executed consistently while maintaining high sanitation protocols; inspect crops and maintain plant or soil conditions.
Day In The Life
When you work as a greenhouse manager, you will spend the day closely inspecting and growing various plant species, and addressing plant cultivation issues like harvesting and fertilizing methods, pest control, plant breeding, and watering. Therefore, having a passion for working with people and plants is essential.
Your role will also involve overseeing the building of structures such as nurseries and greenhouses for optimal plant growth. Since this is a managerial position, you will have to pay attention to administrative aspects like planning and allotting budgets for projects, directing other staff at the facility, marketing and sales, as well as maintaining supplies such as tools for temperature regulation, and perishable inventories.
Work Schedule
In general, managers work a forty hour per week schedule on a regular basis, in a climate controlled environment. You may alternate between your office and the nursery or greenhouse, when carrying out supervisory tasks for planting, fertilising and transferring plants, flowers or trees. Increased workload may require you to work flexible hours, starting earlier than the rest of the crew, as well as work on weekends on holidays.
Growth Of The Job
The demand for nursery or greenhouse managers is projected to increase for aspiring candidates. With the growing demand for various vegetation such as plants and flowers for commercial and private needs, you can find plenty of ways to develop your career path. The growth of your job will also vary depending on your region of work.
Joining associations in the industry can better expand your networking opportunities and provide promising career prospects. You can find better prospects at bigger operations, manage larger teams and often start your own greenhouse or nursery business with adequate knowledge of the field. Many greenhouse managers can advance their career in successful market niches, such as in organic food production.
Typical Employers
You will find good opportunities in this industry if you demonstrated valuable skills like competency in the use of software applications, supervising experience and the willingness to learn data systems to handle computerized greenhouse environments. Employers interested in hiring greenhouse managers to oversee site greenhouse or nursery planning include Stauffers of Kissel Hill, AHRC NASSAU, Emory University, Spherion, UNC Charlotte, Driscoll’s, etc.
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How To Become a Nursery or Greenhouse Manager
To enter this job area as a prospective candidate, you require at least an associate’s degree in greenhouse management or related fields such as agriculture, floriculture, horticulture or plant sciences. There are rare instances where a high school diploma is sufficient if accompanied by a few years of plant breeding or greenhouse job experience.
When you study greenhouse management and similar courses, you will develop a deeper understanding about soil science, plant care and other topics pertaining to the cultivation of healthy plant species. The courses are a combination of mix lecture based study with applied work at a greenhouse or nursery setting. Start applying directly to nurseries or greenhouses in your region since you are in high school or college, to gain a competitive edge in the market early on.
Greenhouse managers have specialized knowledge in plant cultivation techniques, disease control and the latest developments in greenhouse technology. Five years of experience in horticulture is required by most organisations to advance to a manager level role. To be successful in the field, you have to demonstrate outstanding communication and people management skills, while also showing your awareness of existing environmental and safety standards.
Nursery or Greenhouse Manager Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$45,930Average
$69,880High Range
$113,140National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$22/hrAverage
$34/hrHigh Range
$54/hrHow do Nursery or Greenhouse Manager salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Nursery or Greenhouse Manager's can make an average annual salary of $69,880, or $34 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $45,930 or $22 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#200 Nationally for All Careers
Above Average Salary Nationally
Programs and Degrees
Here are the most common degrees for becoming a Nursery or Greenhouse Manager. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.
Highest Education Among Nursery or Greenhouse Managers
- 0.9% Doctorate
- 3% Masters
- 18.3% Bachelors
- 9.1% Associates
- 19.8% College
- 36.9% High School
- 12% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
929,8002024 Est. Jobs
911,700Job Growth Rate
-1.9%Est. New Jobs
-18,100How does Nursery or Greenhouse Manager job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of -18,100 jobs for a total of 911,700 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a -1.9% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#651 Nationally for All Careers
Above Avg. Growth Nationally
What Companies Employ The Most Nursery or Greenhouse Managers
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 657,700 | 8,500 | 9% |
| Crop production | 152,000 | -18,900 | -19% |
| Animal production and aquaculture | 105,600 | -7,800 | -8% |
