Horticulture Specialist
Landscape Technology
A program that focuses on domesticated plants and plant materials used for decorative and recreational applications and prepares individuals to breed, grow, and utilize ornamental plant varieties for commercial and aesthetic purposes.
What Horticulture Specialists Do
A program that focuses on domesticated plants and plant materials used for decorative and recreational applications and prepares individuals to breed, grow, and utilize ornamental plant varieties for commercial and aesthetic 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
Types of Horticulture Specialists
Work Environment
Locations
- • Greenhouses and nurseries
- • Landscaping companies
- • Parks, campuses, and municipal grounds departments
- • Golf courses and sports facilities
- • Botanical gardens and arboretums
Schedule
Schedules often follow daylight and seasons, with early starts and longer hours during peak growing and maintenance periods, and weather-driven changes for outdoor work.
Physical Demands
Work commonly involves long periods of standing and walking, frequent lifting and handling of plants, tools, and materials, and regular bending, kneeling, and repetitive tasks. Supervisory or management roles add more time on planning, paperwork, and monitoring operations.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 2,264,000 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand can rise as cities, businesses, and homeowners invest more in landscaping, green spaces, and outdoor amenities. Growth in greenhouse and nursery production for ornamental plants can also increase the need for skilled plant care and operations management.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Outdoor and hands-on work with visible results
- • Variety of work settings (nurseries, parks, golf courses, greenhouses)
- • Opportunities to move into crew lead or operations management
- • Skills can support self-employment or small business ownership
- • Work that supports environmental and community beautification
Cons
- • Weather exposure and seasonal workload swings
- • Physically demanding work with risk of strains and minor injuries
- • High time pressure during peak seasons and contract deadlines
- • Exposure to allergens, fertilizers, and pesticides (with proper safety controls)
- • Pay can be modest in entry-level grounds roles
Common Questions About the Horticulture Specialist Trade
Ready to Get Started?
Not Sure This Trade is Right?
Take our free career quiz to discover trades that match your interests and skills.
Take the Career Quiz