Horticulture Jobs in the United States
Seaworld
$16.5 undefined
Chula Vista, CA
This involves performing a variety of ground maintenance duties, including mowing, trimming, watering, weeding, planting, pruning, and container maintenance with an early morning schedule. Starting Base Pay: The perks of the position: Ambassadors will enjoy a fun, fast-paced environment, and great teammates, as well as: FREE park admission.
Land O'Lakes
West Salem, WI
The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy. Position will be required to assist in various greenhouses activities (Pollination, seed harvest, seeding, plant maintenance etc.).
Land O'Lakes
Nampa, ID
The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy. • Greenhouse tasks include pollinating, plant propagation, plant maintenance, nematode screening, and insect control.
Marriott International, Inc
$20
Girlstown USA, TX
Horticulturist-Sr at Marriott International, Inc summary: As a Senior Horticulturist, I maintain the aesthetic quality of the grounds and landscaping at Gaylord Springs Golf Course, overseeing the care of trees, gardens, and aquatic life. Keywords: Horticulturist, landscaping, grounds maintenance, irrigation systems, plant installation, aquatic systems, garden inspection, landscape design, flora care, environmental maintenance.
GPAC
Flat Rock, NC
GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. - Degree in Horticulture, Crop & Plant Sciences, Agronomy, Soil Science, or a related field of study, or experience with no degree will be considered as well.
Stargate Manor Arboretum
Todd Mission, TX
Stargate Manor Arboretum in Todd Mission, TX is seeking an Expert Wildflower Horticulturist / Gardener to join our team. DEI Statement: At Stargate Manor Arboretum, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our success.
Flori Kulture Gardens
McKinney, TX
We are a new community garden center and espresso cafe dedicated to bringing people closer to nature through quality plants, flowers and gardening products with a side of quality espresso. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in retail, customer service, and the horticulture industry while working in a dynamic and community-focused setting.
Horticulture Jobs Overview
Horticulture is the study of plant cultivation and growth. People with horticulture jobs work in a variety of settings to promote the health and growth of crops and plants in commercial, municipal, and residential properties. If you enjoy working with plants or love the great outdoors, a career in the horticulture industry could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Horticulture jobs vary in the job duties and hours expected of employees. Some horticulturists may work in a laboratory environment to develop new ways to increase crop yields or to test new fertilizers and pesticides under controlled conditions.
Others may take a more hands-on approach to helping plants grow in gardens, lawns, and forests. Depending on the specific job title, the job growth rate for horticulture positions ranges from 5% to 8%.
These are the top 10 jobs in horticulture:
- Forestry jobs include forest ranger positions, logging, and forest conservation activities.
- Tree planters work in nurseries, in forests, and for commercial and residential properties to promote the growth and health of trees in these environments.
- Arborists undergo specialized training that allows them to diagnose and treat plant diseases and provide support for the health of trees and shrubs.
- Agricultural scientists work in laboratories or other facilities to find new ways to improve growth for crops.
- Agriculture management is the field of horticulture concerned with oversight for farming activities and growing crops.
- Landscape architects need strong visual and planning skills to create attractive and practical landscapes for homes and businesses.
- Gardener jobs are ideal for applicants with a green thumb and the desire to work outside.
- Landscapers are responsible for maintaining lawns and keeping plants healthy in outdoor areas.
- Groundskeepers typically provide hands-on care for plants and lawns for commercial or public organizations.
- Greenhouse and nursery managers oversee the cultivation of plants and flowers for landscaping to keep them healthy and beautiful.
Salary Ranges for Horticulture Jobs
Because horticulture is a large and diverse field, it can be difficult to narrow down a specific salary range for these occupations. For example, agricultural scientists earn a median annual salary of $56,394 across the United States, within a range of $32,958 to $80,890. Chicago, New York City, and Raleigh, N.C., are at the top of the salary range for this job.
Farm, nursery, and greenhouse workers, by contrast, earn a median salary of $13.85 per hour, with hourly pay ranging from $11.56 to $22.34. They can often earn more in Denver and New York City. You can check out the Monster Salary Calculator to find out what your skills are worth in the current job market.
How to Find the Right Horticulture Job for You
Love cultivating gardens but aren't sure which career path to take? Asking yourself these questions could help you find the right horticulture position for you:
- Do you prefer to work indoors or outdoors? Horticultural scientists, managers, and landscaping design professionals typically work indoors at least half the time. Groundskeepers, gardeners and landscapers may spend nearly all their time outdoors caring for plants and maintaining healthy and beautiful lawns and gardens.
- Do you have a relevant degree in agriculture, horticulture, or a horticulture-related field? Many scientific and management positions may require you to have or to be working toward a degree in agriculture or horticulture.
- Do you prefer to supervise people or work with your hands? Agriculture and greenhouse managers typically provide oversight and guidance for a group of employees. Horticulture scientists, landscapers, and groundskeepers, however, usually perform hands-on tasks and are not required to manage the workflows of others.
- Would you rather work alone, with a small team, or with a large group of colleagues? Horticulture scientists and landscape architects typically perform their duties alone or with a limited number of colleagues. Landscapers, groundskeepers, and agricultural workers usually work in teams to complete their tasks more efficiently.
- Do you have an aptitude for science or art? Obtaining your degree in horticulture science, landscape architecture, or related fields could help you earn more as you pursue a career in this industry.
Beginning the Job Search
Once you've identified your interests and aptitudes, you can begin looking for jobs that meet your specific criteria. This initial job search will allow you to assess the opportunities available for you locally and across the country.
You can also determine the salary range for your chosen job in a variety of areas close to home or elsewhere. In some cases, it may make sense to relocate if you don't find the right opportunities in your current area.
Building Your Resume
As you search for jobs, you'll need to create a resume that reflects your experience, education, and aspirations in the horticulture industry. Research the listings and think about the skills most employers are looking for in regard to landscaping, gardening, agricultural science, or forestry. Consider what you find and tweak your resume accordingly.
Researching Targeted Companies
Once you have identified some promising listings, research these companies to learn more about their corporate culture and job prospects. You'll gain valuable insights into a company's performance and growth possibilities by reviewing its website and other jobs listings. If you see a lot of job openings, that's a good sign they're growing.
You could even take it a step further and reach out to people already working in the horticulture industry. Ask if they're familiar with any of the companies or types of positions that have piqued your interest.
Cleaning Up Your Social Media
You’ve probably heard about the consequences of social media mistakes. Cleaning up your social media presence before applying for jobs in your chosen field can be a solid investment of time and effort that could pay off in improved opportunities and enhanced offers for jobs in the horticulture industry.
How to Apply for Horticulture Jobs
To craft a good application, carefully review the job description and highlight the specific skills mentioned on your own resume or cover letter. Focusing on the experience and skills your prospective employer is seeking can increase your chances of attracting favorable attention. It's also important to follow any additional instructions provided by the employer on what to include in your application.
Tailor Your Resume
While you may have already crafted a horticulture job resume, it never hurts to do some fine tuning to the specific job you're applying for. You can also check out a sample landscaping resume for inspiration to help you create the right resume for your application.
It's also wise to add targeted keywords for horticulture jobs to your resume. Examples include landscaping, weeding, irrigation, and fertilizing as well as soft skills like communication and attention to detail. Since many recruiters use software to scan resumes and identify those of greatest interest for specific positions, adding the right keywords can significantly increase your chance of getting an interview with the company of your choice.
Formatting your resume may seem challenging, but help is available. The Monster Professional Resume Writing Service can help deliver a resume that prospective employers will notice.
Craft a Great Cover Letter
Not all jobs will require a cover letter with your application. For instance, if you're applying for an hourly position as a gardener or landscaper, a cover letter may not be necessary.
For professional horticulture jobs, however, creating an appealing cover letter can sometimes give you an edge over your competition in the job market. Your cover letter should be roughly three to six paragraphs and no longer than a page. Be sure to include industry-specific points, such as:
- your experience with different types of plants
- how you've managed other workers and improved their gardening skills
- a brief story about how you overcame a cultivation issue
- why your experience makes you the ideal fit for the position
Submit Your Application
The next step in the process is to sign up with Monster and create a profile that includes basic information about you. Monster makes it easy to upload a resume and to narrow down your job search to find only the horticulture jobs in which you are most interested. Making sure your contact information is accurate and complete and that your resume is free of typos or factual errors will improve your chance of success.
Following Up With an Employer
After you submit your application, you might think that your part in the process is over. In fact, following up with employers to let them know about your interest in their available job opportunities can increase your odds of getting a call for an interview. Following these simple guidelines can allow you to make the best possible impression when applying for horticulture jobs:
- Wait a week after submitting your application before touching base with the recruiter, manager or human resources representative. You can often find the email address of the appropriate person by looking at the job posting or on the company's website.
- Write an email that is polite and to the point and expresses your ongoing interest in the position. You can also request notification about the status of your application.
- If you still do not receive a response, continue your job search. Some companies will not provide a response unless they select you for an interview.
Interviewing Tips for Horticulture Jobs
When you get an interview for a horticulture job, be sure to prepare and practice in advance of the big day. This can help you make the most positive impression and can boost your confidence when interacting with recruiters for horticulture jobs. Here are some interviewing tips that can help you ace your meetings with prospective employers.
- Dress for success. Making the right first impression is a key part of landing a job. For most horticulture jobs, aim for a mix of professional and casual to find the most suitable clothing choices for the position you want.
- Present yourself professionally. Think about what you say before you say it. Avoid using slang and be careful not to be too casual in your interactions.
- Ask questions. If you want a position with the employer, the interview is a great opportunity to get information on the job and the people you will be working with. Having some questions prepared also demonstrates to the employer that you have a sincere interest in working with them.
- Send a thank-you email. Following up your interview with a friendly and heartfelt thank-you to each person who interviewed you can reinforce your interest in the position and can help you leave a positive impression with the company.
What to Do When You Receive an Offer
Congratulations, they made you an offer! Now, follow these simple steps:
- Send a reply thanking the organization for the opportunity and expressing your appreciation.
- Examine the job offer to determine if the job title, description, salary, and benefits are in line with what you need and expect. If they’re not, you may need to negotiate the job offer with the company to determine if they can adjust these elements to suit your needs.
- Decide if the job is right for you. If not, you can decline the offer and continue your search for horticulture jobs on Monster.
Career Paths in Horticulture
Depending on your interests and your level of education, you may be able to work your way up in the horticulture field. For horticulture and agriculture scientists, a typical career path might include an internship during or immediately after completing a degree program and a series of progressively more responsible positions within a laboratory or commercial facility. You might choose to become an agricultural statistician, an environmental technician or pursue one of the many opportunities emerging in the thriving cannabis industry.
Entry-level landscaping, gardening, and forestry positions typically require minimal education and experience. As you perform more tasks in these entry-level positions, however, you may qualify for more responsible positions in management or in specialty fields within the horticulture industry.
Similar Occupations
If you like the horticulture industry, you may also wish to check out these related fields: