Have you ever Googled, “What’s the “average salary for a floral designer”?
The answer to this question is not one-size-fits-all….and running a floral design business is not a get-rich-quick scheme, or a guaranteed six-figure income…however,floristry isextremely rewarding (and challenging) and empowering (and humbling) work!….
And your earning potential is often directly related to how hard you’re willing to hustle.
According to the Bureau of Labor And Statistics, the average mean salary for a florist is $27,750, with an hourly wage of about $13.34.
They report that the top paying areas for florists in the U.S.A. include Northwest Colorado, Santa Barbara, San Fransisco, and the District of Columbia,with an average mean salary between $41,000-45,000, and an hourly wage of approximately $19-22/hour in these areas.
Florists in non-metropolitan areas earn less than their Metropolitan counterparts with an average salary of $21,00-22,000in areas of Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,Texas, and West Virginia where florists are reported to make an average of $11/hour or less.
As the owner of a small business it’s important to understand the current state of the floral industry so you can gauge your own progress and see how you rank compared to the your peers.
So how much money is the right amount of money for you to be making in your business?
What’s a realistic income goal for you?
I’m going to address 3 important questions today:
- How much does a florist make? Both business owners and designers.
- How much can you make?
- What do you want to make?
Pro Tip: The goal is to make a 70% profit on the cost of flowers & supplies! All additional expenses (your additional COGS) come out of this 70% profit–that’s why it’s so important to consistently maximize your profits by applying the proper markups and design fees.
Click to watch a replay of my live chat,How much does a florist make:
80% of florists I surveyed said they are not reaching their income goals!
If you’re not reaching your income goalsyet, how are you going to change that?
If you’re not sure how to do this, I show you exactly how to maximize your profit margin in my online course,Flower Math. (click here to learn more!)
Don’t be afraid to look at your real numbers….you may be pleasantly surprised to find out you’re closer to your goal than you realized!
Only you, your real sales numbers, and your heart can determine if your income goal is viable right now, butrunning the numbers will inform you and allow you to make deliberate moves and set your own direction.
The goal is to build a business that brings you pride, joy and freedom. You should plan to be happy in your business!
Answer these 3 questions:
#1. What are your current sales?(And how much did you pay yourself this year in your floral biz?)
#2. Now, how much will you have to sell in order toincrease your income from what you made this year in your business towhat’d you need to earn?
#3. Additionally, how much would you need to sell to earnwhat you want to make?
What would need to happen in your business to make this income level feasible?
In other words, if this is your goal, how will you get there?
Will you book 5 more wedding? Set a higher minimum on events? Hire another designer to help you take on more work?
You don’t always have to increase your sales to make more money! Could you be keeping more of the money you’re already making?
If you’re notmaximizing your profits by applying the proper markups and design fees,I show you exactly how I do it in my online course,Flower Math. (click here for details & Save $100 Off Today!)
Remember: The goal is to make a 70% profit on the cost of flowers & supplies!This is not the same thing as setting a 30% spending goal! You want to plan for profits, not commit to spending a certain amount. It doesn’t matter what you charge if you overbuy!
Are you ready to make flowers your full time job?
Additional questions to ask if you’re trying to quite your side-hustle and take your floral business full-time:
- Do you have a partner or additional income stream to contribute to your household or are you flying solo financially?
- Do you have some benefits in your current job that would be sorely missed if you were your own boss?
- What else changes for better or worse if you take on the responsibilities (and uncertainties) of being a full-time floralpreneur®?
Before you can decide to make flowers your “full time gig” you must understand your income goals.
Can your floral design business generate this kind of income for you?
Remember: Everybody has to start somewhere. And you CAN make money in this business if you price for maximum profit!
Click HERE to get the 3 Numbers Every Florist Should Know (it’s free!).
xo. –Alison
P.S. If you have questions for me, get in touch! Click here to e-mail me: floralartvt@gmail.com
Certainly! The article you provided discusses the income prospects and financial considerations for individuals working as floral designers or owning floral design businesses. As an expert in the field of floristry and small business management, I can offer insights and detailed information on the concepts addressed in this article.
1. Average Salary and Income Potential for Florists: The article touches upon the variability of earnings within the floral industry. It mentions statistics from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, stating the average mean salary for florists across the United States as $27,750 annually, with hourly wages around $13.34. However, it highlights specific regions such as Northwest Colorado, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and the District of Columbia, where florists can earn higher average salaries ranging from $41,000 to $45,000 annually and an hourly wage of approximately $19 to $22.
Non-metropolitan areas like Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia tend to have lower average salaries for florists, around $21,000 to $22,000 annually, with reported hourly wages as low as $11.
2. Business Ownership and Profit Margins: The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the financial landscape of the floral industry for business owners. It introduces the concept of aiming for a 70% profit margin on the cost of flowers and supplies, stating that additional expenses should be covered within this profit margin. It encourages consistently maximizing profits by applying appropriate markups and design fees.
Furthermore, it emphasizes that 80% of surveyed florists are not meeting their income goals, urging individuals to reassess their strategies and consider courses like "Flower Math" to learn how to increase profitability.
3. Setting Income Goals and Business Strategies: The article prompts readers to reflect on their current sales and self-pay within their floral businesses. It encourages setting realistic income goals and strategizing to achieve those goals. This includes calculating the necessary increase in sales to elevate earnings and exploring methods to reach those targets—whether through expanding client bases, adjusting pricing structures, or streamlining operations to boost profits without necessarily increasing sales volume.
Additionally, it advises those contemplating a transition to full-time floral entrepreneurship to evaluate their income goals, household financial contributions, and potential benefits from their current job. It underscores the need to comprehend the income-generating capabilities of a floral design business before committing to it full-time.
4. Resource Recommendations and Action Steps: The article offers resources like the "3 Numbers Every Florist Should Know" and encourages readers to seek further guidance through the author's email for inquiries.
As an expert in floristry and business management, I can provide additional insights into maximizing profits, setting appropriate pricing strategies, expanding market reach, and optimizing business operations within the floral industry. I can also discuss the intricacies of transitioning from a part-time to a full-time floral business and the financial considerations involved in such a shift.
Should you have any specific inquiries or require further guidance on any aspect of the floral industry or small business management, feel free to ask for detailed assistance.
