How to Become a Floral Designer in West Virginia

Have you always had a knack for art?

Have you been told you have the eye to see the beauty in everything in an artistic and eloquent way?

Have you tried so many branches of art, yet nothing has stuck for long?

Well, maybe you should give floral design a try as well!

It might be a strange way to express your artistic talent, but anything can become a beautiful piece in the right hands.

Are yours those hands?

Let’s find out!

How To Become a Floral Designer in West Virginia?

Step 1: Learn the basics

Use the Internet to your advantage.

There are plenty of videos, books, and materials that can guide you through the first steps of this career path.

Step 2: Talk to someone experienced

It’s always good to hear a good or a bad word about the business from someone seasons.

Go to your local flower shop and ask them about their experience through the years.

The professionals are always happy to talk about their work.

Step 3: Create a portfolio

Once you get around the basics of floral design, start taking pictures and videos.

Basic video editing skills and some music will get you a long way with today’s apps, and it will reach the right audience.

After all, your services will mostly be needed by younger people for weddings, christenings, gender revials, mitzvahs and many more celebrations.

Step 4: The customer’s wishes are a priority

This job requires a lot of communication with strangers who have an idea of what they need.

You will have to listen to their wishes, give suggestions, and compromise so that, in the end, it’s a win-win for both of you.

A good experience will bring a customer back, and it might attract new ones.

Step 5: Get a formal education

Even though formal education is not needed for floral designers, it’s good to have a high school diploma or GED

This will help you find a job easier in any field, not just floral design.

On the other hand, if you want to continue with your education, there are always classes, courses, schools, and universities you can attend!

Floral Design Schools in West Virginia

West Virginia University

The university offers an online course called Preston Bailey’s Fundamentals of Floral Design.

Graduates can apply for internships that give students business experience.

Students will learn floral design techniques on how to make corsages, bridal bouquets, centerpieces, garlands, and other arrangements.

Students learn about materials used to make floral arrangements, how to create a floral design toolkit, how to create a reference binder, and how to utilize current trends.

The instructors have many years of experience and own their own floral design businesses.

Students have six months to complete the course.

It is self-paced and takes 240 hours to complete.

The cost is $1,695 dollars.

In addition, students must purchase flowers for assignments for an additional fee not included in the course.

Penn Foster College

This school, located in Scranton, PA, and Scottsdale, AZ, offers a program online for students.

The program takes 6 to 9 months, and students learn floral design tools and basics, design techniques for weddings, holidays, and other occasions.

The program teaches business skills needed for success.

The program helps students find entry-level jobs or start their own businesses.

The cost for tuition is $1, 080 and students should inquire if books and materials to make arrangements are extra.

Salary

The average Floral Designer salary in West Virginia is $49,614.

The minimum salary is around $40,277, and the maximum salary is around $59,960.

The salary might depend on your city, education, and experience. 

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Charleston	$50,188
Huntington	$49,213
Parkersburg	$48,926
Wheeling	$53,940
Morgantown	$53,940
Weirton	$53,714
Fairmont	$53,940
Beckley	$49,747

Regional Salary in West Virginia

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Floral Designers, OCC Code 27-1023, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is flower business profitable in USA?

Running a flower business can be a highly profitable endeavor.

Once you wrap your head around pricing, see the value in managing your costs, learn marketing, and conquer sales, you’ll start to see a lot of money in your bank account.

What country buys the most flowers?

The United States.

Exports of flowers have grown by 24.1% between 2020 and 2021.

The United States is the largest importer of flowers, with an import bill of $2.14 billion in 2021.

Germany ranked second on the list, having imported flowers worth $1.63 billion in the same year, followed by the United Kingdom in third at $1.01 billion.

What is the most commonly bought flower in West Virginia?

Petunias.

They are a great annual flower that can bloom until early November but really thrives in heat.

You’ll notice the hotter it is, the more blooms there are!

They are also very low-maintenance.

Floral Designer Info by State