Greenhouse Manager

    Landscape Technology

    CIP Name: Greenhouse Manager|CIP Code: 01.0604
    SOC Codes: 25-1041, 11-9013, 37-1012, 37-3011, 45-1011

    Produce, store, and deliver plant species in controlled indoor environments for wholesale, commercial, research, or other purposes.

    $59K
    Median Salary
    +2.5%
    Job Growth
    6mo-1.5yr
    Training
    23.2K
    Jobs/Year

    What Greenhouse Managers Do

    Produce, store, and deliver plant species in controlled indoor environments for wholesale, commercial, research, or other purposes.

    Common Tasks

    Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

    • 1Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
    • 2Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
    • 3Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
    • 4Supervise laboratory sessions and field work and coordinate laboratory operations.
    • 5Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.

    What You'll Learn

    applicable principles of plant scienceclimateirrigationnutrition control equipment operation and maintenancefacilities managementinventory controlsafety procedurespersonnel supervision

    Types of Greenhouse Managers

    Agriculture InstructorAgriculture ProfessorAgronomy ProfessorAnimal Science ProfessorAssociate ProfessorHorticulture InstructorHorticulture ProfessorInstructorPlant Science ProfessorProfessorAquaculture DirectorFarm ManagerFarm Operations Technical DirectorFish Hatchery ManagerGreenhouse ManagerHarvesting ManagerHatchery ManagerHatchery SupervisorNursery ManagerRanch ManagerField ManagerGolf Course SuperintendentGrounds Crew SupervisorGrounds ForemanGrounds Maintenance SupervisorGrounds ManagerGrounds SupervisorGroundskeeper SupervisorLandscape ManagerLandscape SupervisorGardenerGreenskeeperGrounds Maintenance WorkerGrounds PersonGrounds SpecialistGrounds WorkerGroundskeeperLandscape SpecialistLandscape TechnicianOutside Maintenance WorkerAnimal Research Facility SupervisorCattle ManagerFarm SupervisorHarvesting SupervisorLogging Crew ForemanLogging SupervisorPest Management SupervisorWildlife Manager

    Work Environment

    Locations

    • • Commercial greenhouses
    • • Plant nurseries and garden centers
    • • Research greenhouses at universities or labs
    • • Hydroponic/vertical farming facilities
    • • Botanical gardens and conservatories

    Schedule

    Schedules are often full-time with seasonal peaks, and may include early mornings, weekends, or on-call time to respond to equipment alarms, pests, or weather events.

    Physical Demands

    Work mixes office tasks with time on the greenhouse floor, including standing, walking, and frequent handling of plants, tools, and supplies. Conditions can be hot, humid, and noisy, with occasional bending, lifting, and repetitive tasks.

    Salary & Job Outlook

    Median $59,330
    $39,603$90,854+
    Entry Level
    10th percentile
    $39,603
    Early Career
    25th percentile
    $47,652
    Median
    50th percentile
    $59,330
    Experienced
    75th percentile
    $76,627
    Top Earners
    90th percentile
    $90,854+

    National Employment: 2,329,400 jobs

    Top Paying States

    Why Demand May Grow

    Demand may rise as growers expand controlled-environment agriculture to produce consistent crops year-round and reduce weather risk. More specialty plant production for food, landscaping, and research can also increase the need for skilled greenhouse operations leaders.

    Skills You'll Need

    Plant health and pest/disease identificationClimate, irrigation, and fertigation system operationEquipment troubleshooting and basic maintenanceInventory tracking and production planningSafety and chemical handling complianceTeam leadership and trainingAttention to detail and recordkeepingProblem-solving under time pressure

    Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Hands-on work with plants and production systems
    • Opportunity to supervise teams and run operations
    • Skills transfer across food, ornamental, and research settings
    • Work that blends science, equipment, and business
    • Potential for advancement into operations or farm management

    Cons

    • Time pressure during planting, harvest, and problem outbreaks
    • Heat, humidity, and exposure to fertilizers or pesticides (with PPE)
    • On-call responsibility for climate and irrigation systems
    • Seasonal workload spikes and weekend work
    • Budget constraints and thin margins in some operations
    FAQ

    Common Questions About the Greenhouse Manager Trade

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