Floral Designer
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Floral DesignersIntended as a one-stop source for job information, this site offers an overview of the florist’s career, including employment and job outlook, earnings, and education.
Careeronestop: Floral DesignerIf you are interested in designing and arranging flowers, this site will offer you the basics on employment trends, knowledge and skills needed, as well as education and training, and further resources on the web for learning about floral design. A career video at the site outlines the responsibilities of the job, and hourly and annual wage tables are provided.
Princeton Review: FloristA day in the life of a florist is described at this site, with links available to information on quality of life, facts and figures about salary, suggested college majors, and a career search tool.
Occupational Titles
Floral Designer
Florist
Landscape Architect
Accredited Academic Programs
Princeton Review: Florist College MajorsClick on “floriculture” or “landscape architecture” and find out more about colleges that offer these potentially useful majors for the career of a florist. Once you have selected your major, you will find basic information, high school preparation, and sample undergraduate curriculum. Schools offering these major can also be accessed from the site menu.
Salary Levels
PayScale: FloristA number of salary charts are displayed at this site, including median hourly rates for a florist across many cities in the U.S. You can also scroll down and locate details on rate by employer type or state. This site not only offers wage information, but will also connect you to breakdown of pay by gender, age, company, and major or degree earned.
Professional Organizations
American Institute of Floral DesignersThis organization provides a national meeting and offers a guide to floral design and a book of floral terminology. This organization is one of advanced professional membership and provides an accreditation procedure for students upon graduation. Go to the student link under “education” to find chapters available at 13 colleges and universities in the U.S., as well as information on the annual student design competition and artist-in-residence programs.
Society of American FloristsThis is a national trade organization for florists and represents all segments of the industry. If you want to be a top retailer, floral wholesaler, supplier, educator, or simply become a student member, this site has something for you. Membership benefits include access to industry-acclaimed publications, work benefits, and assistance with starting your own business.
Licensing & Certification
American Institute of Floral Designers: AccreditationThe American Institute of Floral Designers offers an accreditation examination. A student membership is also available, which entitles you to a listing in the organization’s directory and a discounted accreditation rate upon graduation.
Job Opportunity Sources
Indeed.com: All Florist JobsJobs as a florist are listed at this link, which collects its information from numerous nationwide databases.
Publications
Floral ManagementThe official publication of the Society of American Florists, this magazine offers an online edition, which includes a premier product showcase, trends, and departments in floral selection, new products, and proper care and handling of flowers.
Online Forums & Blogs
Florist BlogsThis is a community of florists speaking to consumers about technique, flower brands, and other information on creating personal arrangements. Go to “blogs” and access featured discussions, or click on the “photos” link to see galleries of arrangements.
FlowerChatThis community has rooms that contain helpful information on the floral industry. Business topics, such as wire services, design, website development, are found, as well as a networking area.
Career Videos
CollegeGradCareers: Floral DesignersIf you are interested in floral design, this brief video discusses possible approaches, custom arrangements, and discussion of available training programs.
ExpertVillage.com: Arranging FlowersIf you want to learn how to arrange flower, this 2-minute video will show you the basics of creating a floral design. Colors, placement, and other how-to approaches can be seen.
YouTube: Flower ArrangementsFrom “Ask the Decorator,” this site show will show you how to arrange flowers by taking you through the basics of flower selection, combinations, textures, and other advice from a professional floral designer. Steps to follow for arrangements—from greenery to placement—are presented.
