Legal Marijuana Jobs Can Grow Your Career

The marijuana business is lit. Americans purchased $18.3 billion of cannabis products in 2020—that's a 71% jump from the previous year. And according to Leafly.com, legal weed employs over 320,000 people. States that legalized the purchase of marijuana have seen outrageously high (forgive the pun) growth rate in both revenue and job creation.

And as more states legalize recreational marijuana, we can only surmise that more jobs will be created as a result. Here’s a fun historical fact: California began sales of legalized adult-use cannabis on January 1, 2018, and customers lined up in droves; one dispensary alone sold $30,000 worth of product by 1:30 in the afternoon on New Year's Day.

Sound like something you might be into? You're in luck: Thousands of marijuana industry jobs are available on Monster right now. As in many industries, certain jobs are essential to running a business. For instance, there are positions for staff accountants, sales reps, and administrative assistants in the cannabis-focused workplace. But there's also a need for people who can handle the product itself.

Here are just a few of those jobs that could be the right fit for you. Note: Depending on the location of these jobs, you may be required to obtain a marijuana worker permit before getting hired.

Bud Trimmer

What you'd do: During harvest season, bud trimmers are responsible for cutting marijuana plants by hand. Trimmers manicure the plants to remove all the excess foliage and trim them down to the buds. Bud trimming is a great entry-level job for people looking to break into the cannabis industry.
What you'd need: No formal education is required, but an emphasis on cleanliness and organization is often stressed.
What you'd make: Some trimmers get paid per pound of how much finished cannabis product they trim, while others get paid about $12 to $15 per hour.

Find bud trimmer jobs on Monster.

Budtender

What you’d do: Derived from bartender, budtenders serve on the frontlines of the industry by working face to face with customers at dispensaries. Budtenders act as consultants, since they guide customers through the process of buying what they want.
What you'd need: For this job, you'll be required to have working knowledge of cannabis products as well as all current rules regulating retail and medical marijuana. Budtenders must also be sociable to ensure the customer has a good experience.
What you'd make: Beginners earn around $11 to $12 an hour, plus tips, while salaried employees make about $31,200 to $42,000 per year.

Find budtender jobs on Monster.

Extraction Technician

What you'd do: Extraction technicians—also known as concentrate makers, or extractors—take marijuana plants and turn them into hashish, oils, and other concentrates. Because they apply scientific techniques and procedures in labs, these professionals have to be detail oriented and precise.
What you'd need: A high school diploma or GED is typical, though some positions may require a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, natural sciences, or a related field.
What you'd make: Entry-level extraction jobs average between $20,000 and $40,000 annually, while leadership positions can pay six-figure salaries.

Find extraction technician jobs on Monster.

Dispensary Manager

What you'd do: Dispensary managers oversee the daily operations of the cannabis retail shop. Their responsibilities include everything from interfacing with vendors and law enforcement to managing inventory and dealing with product returns, Dukes says. Dispensary managers hire, train, and manage budtenders, and ensure that only the best and safest product is being sold.
What you'd need: A bachelor's degree is generally preferred, though a high school diploma or GED may suffice. Retail or luxury goods experience is a plus.
What you'd make: Anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000 per year

Find dispensary jobs on Monster.

Edibles Chef

What you'd do: These chefs use their culinary talents and marijuana knowledge to create cannabis-infused foods, or edibles, from gummy candies to lollipops to baked goods and more.
What you'd need: A background in cooking and baking certainly helps, but like all other cannabis jobs, the main focus is knowledge of the product. Specifically, edibles have to be precisely measured by these chefs to ensure safe consumption. Producers have to control every dosage they put in their foods. However, independent chefs must also be knowledgeable of state and municipal marijuana codes, which can change frequently. There are strict laws for how companies need to test and sell their products.
What you'd make: $40,000 to $90,000 per year

Find edibles-related jobs on Monster.

Gardener/Grower

What you'd do: Gardeners, or growers, oversee the cultivation of the marijuana plants. Each site has assistant growers that check things like the nutrient and humidity levels; these employees work under a master grower, who manages the day-to-day operations of the facility and trains the crew.
What you'd need: A physical science or horticulture degree will give you preference. All gardeners must be knowledgeable of strains as well as growing technologies, such as lights, irrigation, and fertilizer.
What you'd make: Assistant growers earn, on average, $15.55 per hour; master growers typically command a salary of $100,000 per year and sometimes a percentage of the facility's profit.

Find cannabis grower jobs on Monster.

See all cannabis jobs on Monster.

Cannabis Jobs Can Help You Make More Green

Anytime an industry is on the brink of becoming huge, there will obviously be a rush of job seekers hoping to get in on the ground floor—and cannabis is no exception. Want to stay ahead of the pack? Monster can send you free cannabis job alerts directly to your inbox. Let's get rolling on your career.

Salary information was culled from PayScale.com, cannabistraininguniversity.com, and cannarecruiter.com.