Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information Estimating sises, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

The Work

Florists sell flowers and plants to the public and 'make up' floral displays to order. Most florists are involved in both selling and 'making up' arrangements, though in some larger shops people do specialise.  
 
Florists take orders over the counter or by telephone and arrange for delivery. They also organise flower relay services for customers who want flowers and a message to be sent to people in other parts of the country. As well as selling flowers, florists may advise customers on general plant care and sell accessories such as vases, baskets and materials for flower arranging.  
 
Many of the everyday duties in a shop are routine and involve dirty and hard work. These include carrying vases to and from the cold store, taking off dead leaves, dusting pot plants, cutting the stems of newly delivered flowers, tidying displays and sweeping the shop floor.  
 
'Making up' work involves preparing and wiring flowers to produce formal displays. These could be sprays, posies, wedding bouquets and funeral wreaths. These set pieces are usually copied from books of designs and photographs. There are occasions when the florist can adapt designs to meet the customer's instructions and when they create new pieces from their own imagination.  
 
The florist may follow a colour scheme. They choose flowers that are available from their suppliers and make up a display that has a good shape and balance. Florists also use artistic flair when they arrange displays for the shop window, including decorations of artificial flowers. Some shops provide displays for churches, exhibition halls and houses for special occasions.  
 
Florists may also be involved in contract work, supplying fresh flowers and plants to offices, hotels and official buildings on a regular basis.  
 
Florists need to build up and liaise with a reliable network of suppliers that will deliver fresh quality flowers daily. They will need to place regular orders to replenish stock. It is important not to order too much stock as it will spoil quite quickly if not used.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Confer with clients regarding price and type of arrangement desired and the date, time, and place of delivery.
• Select flora and foliage for arrangements, working with numerous combinations to synthesise and develop new creations.
• Order and purchase flowers and supplies from wholesalers and growers.
• Deliver arrangements to customers, or oversee employees responsible for deliveries.
• Plan arrangement according to client's requirements, using knowledge of design and properties of materials, or select appropriate standard design pattern.
• Water plants, and cut, condition, and clean flowers and foliage for storage.
• Trim material and arrange bouquets, wreaths, terrariums, and other items, using trimmers, shapers, wire, pins, floral tape, foam, and other materials.
• Wrap and price completed arrangements.
• Perform office and retail service duties, such as keeping financial records, serving customers, answering telephones, selling giftware items, and receiving payment.
• Unpack stock as it comes into the shop.

Further Information

• Florist - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

For most florist jobs advertised, you need various qualifications from floristry, customer service, retail, and increasingly social media & marketing skills.

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Digital marketing, Retail skills, Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses Professional Floristry, marketing, retail, customer service, sales course at NFQ level 5 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Sales Apprenticeship NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Private schools also offer a wide range of courses in floristry, at various levels and fees, but most are short and some are aimed at floristry as a hobby more so than a career so research your options carefully.

Professional Development

With experience, you could start your own florist business, do exhibition work, demonstrations or teaching. You can also specialise as a floral decorator for special occasions such as weddings, either as a freelancer or working for large wedding/event venues See enterprise options. 

Membership in a professional organisation, such as the Association of Irish Floral Artists, is a way to develop contacts and stay up-to-date on what is happening in the sector.

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €35k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Salary expert/ Eirieri/ Excel

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

  • Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow
  • (059) 917 0200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The Association of Irish Floral Artists

  • Click Here