Horticulturists
Impact: Environmental, Aesthetic, Economic
Horticulturists apply scientific principles to cultivate, propagate, and manage plants for various purposes, including food production, landscape design, and environmental restoration. They work with a wide range of plants, from fruits and vegetables to ornamental trees and flowers, often focusing on improving plant health, yield, and aesthetic appeal.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- Balanced
- Client facing
- Frequent
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Occasional local travel
- Schedule flexibility
- Moderate
- Remote work
- Limited Remote
- Typical work hours
- 40
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $62,000
- Entry-level
- $45,000
- Senior
- $90,000
- Growth by 2033
- 6%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- High
- Salary growth potential
- Good
- Typical student debt
- $25,000 - $40,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Plant Pathology
- Soil Science
- Pest Management
Soft skills
- Problem-solving
- Attention to Detail
- Communication
Technical complexity: Moderate
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5
- Years to senior
- 12
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Horticulturists can advance to roles such as horticultural consultants, landscape managers, research scientists, or educators. Specialization in areas like plant breeding, urban horticulture, or sustainable agriculture also offers growth opportunities.
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 4/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.5/10
- Prestige
- 6.5/10
- Social perception
- High