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The design of a bouquet of flowers is something that can make or break the mood that one tries to set at a special event.
This is the kind of thing that a certified floral designer (CFD) knows, and it is something that one can choose to take on for themselves to earn a living.
Today, we will take a look at what it takes to become a certified floral designer in Kentucky.
Article Table of Contents
How to Become a Floral Designer in Kentucky
Most people in the Bluegrass State can find a job in the floral design industry with a high school diploma or GED.
This is the level of formal academic education that is required to get involved with this industry.
However, you may benefit from seeking some additional education in the form of official certifications and other documented proof of your abilities.
Seek a Certification of Completion in Floral Design
The best way to help set yourself apart from other people in the floral design industry is to seek out a certification of completion of formal training in the industry.
This will wrap you up with the formal credentials that you require to set yourself apart from others in the field of floral design.
It is also a good idea to do so because going through this will provide you with the education that you need to be a talented and practiced floral designer in Kentucky.
Pass the PFDE Online Test
There is a standardized test for those who have taken courses in floral design to certify the individual who has completed those courses.
The importance of this test is that it provides a bar to cross over for all people who take courses in floral design.
This is a big deal because everyone wants to make sure they are working with someone in floral design that truly has the skills necessary to create beautiful floral designs for them.
A score of at least 80 is necessary to pass the PFDE online test.
The test has both a traditional portion as well as a hands-on portion of the test to ensure that everyone who takes the test must also prove that they can perform the tasks that are assigned to them as far as the construction of floral designs are concerned.
Therefore, one should focus on getting the PFDE online test taken and passed so that one may begin to focus on other projects moving forward.
Take a Job or Create Your Own
Once you have all of the certifications and training that you require in this field, make sure you begin to take steps to figure out which kind of career path you would like to take on.
There are many people who go through this process so that they can take a job working for a company as a floral designer, and there is nothing wrong with that.
However, there are others who decide that they are going to go out on their own path and take the freelance route when it comes to how they will set up a career of their own.
Some people decide that they want to set up their own shop to capitalize on the skills that they have obtained.
There is potential that they can make more money by doing that.
At the same time, it is important to remember that there is a lot more work to do when one goes out on their own to run their own floral design business.
Make sure you give proper consideration to both options to figure out which option will work best for you.
Floral Design Programs and Classes in Kentucky
Think carefully about the different kinds of floral design programs and classes that are available to you in Kentucky are.
You will want to make sure you pick out the kind of classes or programs that work best with your schedule and budget.
A few of the programs that exist in Kentucky are as follows:
The University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky is proud to offer a program that provides students with the ability to take a course in floral design that one can take to sharpen their skills and make themselves better prepared for the standardized tests they must take to become officially certified.
Western Kentucky University
People in Kentucky are spoiled for choice when it comes to the floral design courses and programs offered by their state college and university system.
Many states have no colleges or universities that offer these programs at all, but Kentucky has multiple options.
Students who wish to get involved with the program here must submit an inquiry form for more information on the program.
Penn Foster Career School
Those who wish to take their floral design courses online can do so by going to the Penn Foster Career School for this added value.
They offer an online program that anyone can access at a very reasonable price.
If that is the kind of thing that you might be interested in, then you can get signed up and start taking courses with this school for a total cost of $640.
There are different programs and options for those who are interested in taking some courses in the field of floral design in Kentucky.
The right choice for any individual comes down to their specific needs.
Floral Designer Schools in Kentucky – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| The University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY 40506, USA |
| Western Kentucky University | Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA |
| Penn Foster Career School | 925 Oak St, Scranton, PA 18515, United States |
Salary
Everyone wants to know about how much they might be able to earn in the field of floral design (or any other field for that matter).
The answer will vary from person to person of course, but many can expect to land somewhere around the median salary that has been earned by different people in the Kentucky area over the years.
Here are some of the median salaries earned by people in floral design in different parts of Kentucky:
- Frankfort, KY – $49,738
- Bowling Green, KY – $49,304
- Louisville, KY – $51,647
These are the median salaries earned in this field in these cities.
Some are far behind this, but others earn well beyond this.
Much of this comes down to the level of training and experience that you have in the field.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $49,304 |
| Lexington | $51,016 |
| Louisville | $51,647 |
| Owensboro | $51,096 |
| Covington | $53,203 |
| Hopkinsville | $48,965 |
| Frankfort | $49,738 |
| Henderson | $51,423 |
| Richmond | $50,517 |
| Jeffersontown | $50,581 |
Regional Salary in Kentucky
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 80 | $33,310 | $16.02 | $42,600 | $25,440 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 210 | $32,760 | $15.75 | $43,630 | $27,650 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the high-end salaries for floral designers in Kentucky?
Some of the top-earning floral designers in Kentucky earn around $65,000 to $75,000 per year.
These individuals tend to have a significant amount of experience.
What is the career outlook for the floral design industry in Kentucky?
The number of floral designers is estimated to decline by over ten percent between 2016 and 2026.
However, that means that some individuals may be capable of capitalizing on a smaller pool of people who are available to serve this market.
Therefore, you might want to look at what you can do to set yourself up to best serve the market in Kentucky.
Are there a lot of careers in floral design in Kentucky?
Despite the fact that there has been a decline in the total number of floral designers in Kentucky, this does not mean that there aren’t jobs in the field.
In fact, some will argue that this has actually cleared the way for a whole new generation of floral designers to take up the mantle of the industry and power it forward.
Therefore, you can still rest easy knowing that you should have plenty of jobs available to you in the field of floral design in Kentucky.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Floral Designer
Floral Design by State