Career In Gardening/Landscape Design – Where and How To Do It

Q: Is there a school where I can study for a career in Garden Design/landscaping? I’m 37 years old and I don’t have a college degree but I’d like to be a foreman or designer or open my own contractor business. Do you know what the starting salary would be?

A: Mary Kay Woodworth, Executive Director of the Georgia Urban Ag Council says there is a great variety of employment options available. There are excellent programs at Gwinnett Tech, Chattahoochee Tech, Lanier Tech, Southern Crescent Tech and other schools in the metro Atlanta area.

A lot depends on your area of concentration and work experience prior to and during your school time. Students with a little experience are getting jobs as a foreman or front-line supervisor level when they graduate. Others who work in the industry for several years while going to school are receiving offers in mid-level management. Positions accepted this year by students from local schools include Assistant Superintendent, Landscape Foreman, Landscape Maintenance Supervisor, Sales Representative, Greenhouse Assistant Manager, Garden Center Manager, Landscape Designer, Florist Assistant and Fulltime Florist. Starting salaries generally range from mid 20’s to high 30’s, depending upon internship and work experience. For a list of landscape careers visit https://urbanagcouncil.com/careers-in-urban-agriculture./.