Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Nursery Workers
Nursery Workers work in nursery facilities or at customer location planting, cultivating, harvesting, and transplanting trees, shrubs, or plants.
Table of contents
What they do
Nursery Workers work in nursery facilities or at customer location planting, cultivating, harvesting, and transplanting trees, shrubs, or plants.
- Plant, spray, weed, fertilize, and water plants, shrubs, and trees using hand tools and gardening tools.
- Sell and deliver plants and flowers to customers.
- Sow grass seed, or plant plugs of grass.
- Harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Nursery Workers sow grass seed or plant plugs of grass. They record information about plants and plant growth.
A typical day for a Nursery Worker will also include:
- Dig, cut, and transplant seedlings, cuttings, trees, and shrubs.
- Plant, spray, weed, fertilize, and water plants, shrubs, and trees using hand tools and gardening tools.
- Maintain and repair irrigation and climate control systems.
- Fold and staple corrugated forms to make boxes used for packing horticultural products.
- Tie and bunch flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees, wrap their roots, and pack them into boxes to fill orders.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Nursery Workers also cut, roll, and stack sod. They may also maintain inventory, ordering materials as required.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Nursery Workers dig, rake, and screen soil, filling cold frames and hotbeds in preparation for planting. They might also harvest plants, and transplant or pot and label them.
In addition, they fill growing tanks with water.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them move containerized shrubs, plants, and trees, using wheelbarrows or tractors.
To some Nursery Workers, it is also their responsibility to clean work areas and maintain grounds and landscaping.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
62% said they were satisfied with their job and 57% said they found their job meaningful.
I have more than 10 years of experience working in a nursery.
My day typically starts with me watering the plants in the nursery. After that, if there’s any new plant to be planted I have to create the soil fertilized & get every required task done to plant the trees. It usually takes place in the morning. We have a group discussion every morning with every gardener & divide our tasks.
After that, I have to check for plants that need extra attention or have any issues. I take notes if there’s anything unusual or out of the ordinary in the plants. I have to sow grass seeds daily or sometimes plant grass. I have to dig holes very often & plant new trees & clear the seedbeds. I also have to maintain a very close eye on the temperature & humidity of the nursery & adjust them accordingly.
Later in the day I trim down extra brunches or leaves & keep them in a nice shape. If we are expecting any delivery I have to take care of them as well. I water the plants again later in the afternoon.
In the evening I double-check everything & make sure everything is going as usual.
That’s pretty much it for my typical day at the nursery.
Pros
You are always surrounded by beautiful plants & flowers. You get to work in a healthy & pollution free environment. There’s not too much stress or mental pressure. if you love trees/flowers you won’t feel as if you are in a job.
Cons
The salary isn’t too attractive. Requires physical work more than typical jobs & can be exhausting sometimes. Have to work long hours & have to cover multiple roles.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work both indoors and outdoors.
It is very easy to get into this career. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Demand for this career is declining.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Nursery Workers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $25,270 to $27,070 per year or $12 to $13 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $37,990 | $18 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $31,310 | $15 |
| Median | $28,660 | $14 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $27,070 | $13 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $25,270 | $12 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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