Plant Nursery Operations and Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Plant Nursery Operations and Management equips professionals with the expertise to lead and sustain horticultural enterprises focused on the cultivation, propagation, and distribution of ornamental and functional plants. This program blends scientific knowledge with practical business acumen to prepare individuals for leadership roles in nurseries, landscape supply operations, and related green industries.
- Plant Science Fundamentals: Explores the biological and physiological processes governing plant growth, development, and health, including soil-plant relationships, nutrient management, and disease prevention.
- Nursery Production Systems: Covers techniques for seed germination, vegetative propagation, container growing, and seasonal planning to optimize plant quality and yield.
- Business and Financial Management: Develops skills in budgeting, cost analysis, pricing strategies, marketing, and financial reporting specific to horticultural enterprises.
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Trains in the safe and efficient use of tractors, tillers, irrigation systems, pruning tools, and other machinery essential to nursery workflows.
- Workplace Safety and Compliance: Emphasizes hazard identification, protective equipment use, chemical handling protocols, and adherence to OSHA and environmental regulations.
- Personnel and Operations Leadership: Focuses on team coordination, employee training, labor relations, and workflow optimization to ensure efficient and effective nursery operations.
Plant Nursery Operations and Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Plant Nursery Operations and Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Plant Nursery Operations and Management degrees, including Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,142,530 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers 11-9013 | $87,980 | $51,700 - $156,530 | 5,910 | $42.30 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1041 | $86,350 | $49,080 - $160,870 | 8,700 | N/A |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers 45-1011 | $59,330 | $39,610 - $90,840 | 29,530 | $28.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers 37-1012 | $56,170 | $39,270 - $83,080 | 124,130 | $27.01 |
| Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation 37-3012 | $45,200 | $34,590 - $58,910 | 25,200 | $21.73 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers 45-4011 | $43,680 | $33,050 - $54,190 | 5,630 | $21.00 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers 37-3011 | $38,090 | $29,990 - $53,900 | 943,430 | $18.31 |
Plant Nursery Operations and Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $45,342 in Louisiana to $70,916 in Maine—a 56% difference. The highest-paying states include Maine, Maryland, and Michigan. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,142,530 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Plant Nursery Operations and Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 24 institutions offering Plant Nursery Operations and Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Plant Nursery Operations and Management is found at Hawaii Community College (19 graduates), Western Texas College (WTC) (15 graduates), Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) (13 graduates), Chattahoochee Technical College (12 graduates), and Fullerton College (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 131 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Hilo, Hawaii | Public | hawaii.hawaii.edu |
| Western Texas College (WTC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Snyder, Texas | Public | wtc.edu |
| Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) |
Other Award
|
13 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augustatech.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Other Award
|
12 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
| First Coast Technical College (FCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Saint Augustine, Florida | Public | fctc.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Other Award
|
7 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Rome, Georgia | Public | gntc.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | sbcc.edu |
| Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Thomasville, Georgia | Public | southernregional.edu |
| Cuyamaca College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | El Cajon, California | Public | cuyamaca.edu |
| South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Americus, Georgia | Public | southgatech.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Merritt College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Oakland, California | Public | merritt.edu |
| Edmonds College |
Associate's
|
2 | Lynnwood, Washington | Public | edmonds.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Mendocino College |
Other Award
|
1 | Ukiah, California | Public | mendocino.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| North Georgia Technical College |
Other Award
|
1 | Clarkesville, Georgia | Public | northgatech.edu |
| Joliet Junior College (JJC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Joliet, Illinois | Public | jjc.edu |
| Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Waycross, Georgia | Public | coastalpines.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Plant Nursery Operations and Management programs
How much can I earn with a Plant Nursery Operations and Management degree?
Salaries for Plant Nursery Operations and Management graduates vary by role and location. Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers earn a median of $87,980 annually, while Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $86,350. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maine average $70,916 compared to $45,342 in Louisiana. Approximately 1,142,530 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Plant Nursery Operations and Management programs?
Currently 24 accredited institutions offer Plant Nursery Operations and Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Hawaii Community College (19 graduates), Western Texas College (WTC) (15 graduates), and Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) (13 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Plant Nursery Operations and Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 147 in 2010 to a peak of 150 in 2020, before declining slightly to 131 in 2023-24. This represents a 11% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Plant Nursery Operations and Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers. Related occupations employ approximately 1,142,530 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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