Nursery/Greenhouse Worker
PrintWork Tasks
NURSERY/GREENHOUSE WORKERS plant, cultivate and harvest trees, shrubs, and other plants used to beautify the landscape. They prepare nursery acreage or greenhouse beds for planting. Nursery and greenhouse workers carry and spread topsoil, fertilizer, and peat moss. They plant seedlings of annual and perennial flowers, transplant saplings, and water and trim plants. They cut, roll, and stack sod, and stake trees. They detect and identify germ and insect infestations, and mold, and apply the appropriate chemicals to get rid of the disease.
Salary, Size & Growth
- $22,000 average per year ($10.50 per hour)
- A large occupation (228,600 workers in 2010)
- Expected to grow moderately (1.8% per year)
Entry Requirements
Most employers prefer to hire NURSERY/GREENHOUSE WORKERS with a high school degree or equivalent and some experience in growing plants. Nursery workers are usually trained on the job by an experienced worker. Helpful high school courses include botany, biology, and chemistry. Nursery workers do not need a license or certificate, although, some states require licensing for those who apply pesticides.