Whether you are interested in running a nursery, designing landscapes, producing vegetable and fruit crops or breeding plants with biotechnology, your career forecast is bright. You can count on NC State to help you build connections with alumni and businesses, working together with you to launch your career.
Careers
Follow your passion to a rewarding career.
Grad Pursues the Art and Science of Horticulture
For College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumna Brittany Bell, horticulture science has been a fulfilling way to marry her love of both art and science.
Read StoryA Sustainable Choice
Career placement for our graduates is flourishing. In fact, we employ almost 100 percent of our graduates.
Traditional Horticultural Science: Working with Plants
Love biology, biotechnology, and other applied sciences? Always enjoyed helping plants grow? Most of our graduates build rewarding careers in one of the following traditional horticulture positions:
- Landscape Designer / Landscape Construction Worker / Landscape Architect
- Groundskeeper / Grounds Manager / Golf Course Technician
- Farmer / Farm Management / Grower / Plant Producer
- Florist / Floral Designer / Floriculturist
- Arboretum or Botanical Garden Worker / Nursery or Greenhouse Worker
- Arborist / Urban Forester / Tree Service Technician
- Nursery or Greenhouse Manager
- Horticulture Technician or Consultant / Crop Advisor
- Plant Breeder / Plant Geneticist
- Pest Management Technician / Pest Scout
Business Side of Horticulture
Graduates who enjoy the business side of horticulture typically build careers in one of the following positions:
- Account Manager or Administrator
- Business Owner / Entrepreneur
- Communications / Marketing / Business Development Manager
Academia and Research
Can’t get enough learning? Give students the knowledge and hands-on experience required for success in a horticultural career. Deepen your knowledge, work with a university that offers research opportunities and inspire students through your work in horticultural education.
Learn more about horticulture careers
Prospective Careers Based on Horticultural Science Degrees
| Career Title | Two-Year | Bachelors | Masters | Doctorates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Product Sales & Marketing | ||||
| Arborist | ||||
| Assistant Vineyard Manager | ||||
| Chemical Research & Development | ||||
| Consumer Relations | ||||
| Corporate Horticulturist | ||||
| Disease & Pest Manager | ||||
| Equipment Sales Representative | ||||
| Extension Agent | ||||
| Extension Specialist | ||||
| Fertilizer Sales Representative | ||||
| Floral Crop Grower | ||||
| Floral Crop Marketer | ||||
| Floral Designer | ||||
| Floral Shop Manager | ||||
| Fruit and Vegetable Grower | ||||
| Garden Center Manager | ||||
| Garden Writer | ||||
| Golf Course Superintendent | ||||
| Greenhouse Manager | ||||
| Home and Commercial Lawn Care Manager | ||||
| Horticultural Artist | ||||
| Horticultural Consultant | ||||
| Horticulture Therapist | ||||
| Interior Plantscape Designer | ||||
| Interior Plantscape Manager | ||||
| Interior Plant Rental Manager | ||||
| Instructor – Junior College | ||||
| Landscape Contractor | ||||
| Landscape Designer | ||||
| Landscape Foreman | ||||
| Nurseryman | ||||
| Nursery Crop Grower | ||||
| Nursery Inspector | ||||
| Nursery Manager | ||||
| Nursery Sales Representative | ||||
| Orchard Consultant | ||||
| Orchard Manager | ||||
| Orchardist/Fruit Grower | ||||
| Owner of Horticultural Business | ||||
| Pest Management Technician | ||||
| Plant Protection Industry Consultant | ||||
| Park Manager | ||||
| Park/Zoo Horticulturist | ||||
| Plant Breeder | ||||
| Plant Propagator | ||||
| Plant Researcher | ||||
| Production Manager | ||||
| Postharvest Physiologist | ||||
| Professional Gardener | ||||
| Professor – University | ||||
| Small Farm Manager | ||||
| Quality Control Specialist | ||||
| Radio/TV Editor | ||||
| Research Specialist/Technician | ||||
| Retail and Wholesale Sales Representative | ||||
| Roadside Marketer | ||||
| Seed and Bulb Sales and Marketing | ||||
| Sod Grower | ||||
| Teacher – High School | ||||
| Urban Forester | ||||
| Urban Horticulturist |