Occupation · SOC 27-1023
Floral Designers
Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.
Median wage
$36,120
$27,260–$48,690
Projected growth
-5.9%
Declining
Annual openings
-260
per year
Employed (US)
40,160
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
2 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationCritical ThinkingTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingActive Learning
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceProduction and ProcessingSales and MarketingDesignEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Web page creation and editing softwareInventory management softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Confer with clients regarding price and type of arrangement desired and the date, time, and place ofSelect flora and foliage for arrangements, working with numerous combinations to synthesize and deveOrder and purchase flowers and supplies from wholesalers and growers.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic floral terminology and flower varieties — identify and distinguish under direct supervision in a retail floral shop setting.Fresh flowers and foliage — cut, condition, and place into water storage following established protocols on a shop workbench.Trimmers, wire, pins, floral tape, and foam — use under direction to assemble simple bouquets and basic arrangements.Standard arrangement patterns — follow pre-set design templates to complete routine orders with guidance from a senior designer.Completed floral arrangements — wrap and apply price labels according to shop pricing guidelines under supervisor review.Customer inquiries about arrangement types and delivery times — listen actively and relay information to a senior staff member.Flowers and foliage — sort, clean, and remove damaged material from incoming wholesale deliveries in a stockroom environment.Point-of-sale (POS) software — enter basic sales transactions and process customer payments at the front counter.Shop tools and workstation — maintain cleanliness and organize supplies at the end of each shift following shop procedures.Delivery addresses and packaging requirements — confirm accuracy on completed orders before handoff to a delivery driver.
developing
Client requirements for price, arrangement type, and delivery details — gather and confirm through direct customer consultation at a retail counter.Flora and foliage combinations — select and experiment with multiple pairings to produce fresh designs with reduced supervisory input.Routine floral arrangements, bouquets, and wreaths — construct independently using trimmers, shapers, wire, and floral foam in a production shop.Arrangement plans — develop based on client specifications by applying working knowledge of color theory and material properties.Wholesale flower and supply orders — prepare purchase lists and submit to vendors using procurement software in coordination with shop inventory needs.Inventory management software — track stock levels, flag low-supply items, and update records after deliveries in a small retail operation.Customer preferences and unspoken expectations — interpret through social perceptiveness to recommend appropriate design options.Water schedules for live plants and stored flowers — manage consistently to maintain product quality throughout the shop week.Local delivery routes — coordinate and oversee to ensure timely arrival of arrangements at customer locations.Spreadsheet and office suite software — record daily sales data and supply costs to support basic shop reporting.
proficient
Complex client briefs for weddings, events, and corporate accounts — consult on autonomously, advising on design, budget, and logistics across the full project lifecycle.Original floral creations — design by synthesizing diverse flora, foliage, textures, and colors to produce signature arrangements without reference to standard patterns.Full arrangement production for high-volume periods — manage independently, prioritizing workflow and time allocation across multiple simultaneous orders.Wholesale supplier relationships — negotiate pricing, assess product quality on delivery, and resolve discrepancies using procurement and communication skills.Non-routine design challenges such as unusual color requests or rare seasonal availability — solve through critical thinking and active adaptation of available materials.Terrariums, elaborate wreaths, and specialty structures — construct with precision using advanced shaping and wiring techniques in a professional studio environment.Shop inventory systems and POS data — analyze trends to inform purchasing decisions and reduce waste across seasonal demand cycles.Delivery operations — oversee scheduling, route planning, and staff assignments to ensure reliable, on-time fulfillment of all customer orders.New floral design trends and techniques — evaluate through active learning and integrate into the shop's standard service offerings.Customer satisfaction across the service encounter — monitor and respond to feedback, adjusting design or service approach to maintain quality standards.
advanced
Shop-wide design standards and creative direction — establish and communicate to ensure consistent brand aesthetic across all products and client-facing presentations.Junior and mid-level floral designers — mentor and coach in technique, client communication, and professional judgment within a retail or studio operation.Annual purchasing strategy and supplier network — develop by evaluating grower relationships, seasonal forecasting, and cost-efficiency targets at an organizational level.Business operations including staffing, scheduling, and budget management — lead across a floral design shop or multi-location operation to achieve financial and quality goals.Signature product lines and seasonal collections — conceive and launch by applying advanced originality and category flexibility to differentiate the business in a competitive market.Sales and marketing strategies for floral services — design and execute using web page tools, email software, and presentation materials to grow the client base.Organizational policies for delivery, pricing, and client service — author and implement to standardize quality and reduce operational risk across the team.Key accounts such as event venues, hospitality clients, and corporate partners — cultivate and retain through expert consultation and consistent delivery of high-value design outcomes.Staff performance and professional development plans — assess and guide using structured feedback, ensuring team capability keeps pace with business growth.Industry innovations in sustainable sourcing, preservation techniques, and digital design tools — evaluate and adopt at an organizational level to advance the shop's competitive position.
Also known as
26 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Wedding FloristDesign MakerFlorist DesignerFloral DecoratorFloral ClerkFloral AssistantDesignerFlorist AssistantFloral ArrangerFloral AssociateCorsage MakerFlower DesignerFlorist's DecoratorFloral Department SpecialistDesign Studio SpecialistFloristFloral SpecialistCustom FramerWedding DecoratorDesign ConsultantFloral DesignerArtificial Foliage ArrangerFloral ArtistArtificial-Foliage ArrangerFlower ArrangerFloral Designer Salesperson