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Floral designers work closely with customers to create breathtaking floral displays.
A career in floral design is great for creative individuals who want to work with plants and people!
While there are no educational requirements for a career in floral design, you’ll still need to learn the skills you need for the job.
Here’s how you can work as a floral designer in Michigan.
Article Table of Contents
Steps to Become a Floral Designer in Michigan
If you love working with plants, you could turn that passion into a successful career.
While there are different ways to pursue a career in floral design, this step-by-step guide will get you off to the right start.
1. Obtain Your High School Diploma
Even though there aren’t specific educational requirements for florists in Michigan, you’ll still need a high school diploma or equivalent for most positions.
In Michigan, there are two high school diploma equivalent testing options: the GED and HiSET.
2. Develop Your Skills
Floral designers should be familiar with the basics of floral design and plant care.
Look for ways to get hands-on experience, whether you take classes, pursue an internship, or volunteer at a local floral shop.
3. Look Into Certification
Michigan florists don’t need to be certified, but having a certificate can boost your job prospects.
The Great Lakes Floral Association offers a certification program that’s endorsed by the National Alliance of Floral Associations (NAFA).
National organizations, such as the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), also offer certification.
4. Build a Portfolio
A portfolio is an excellent way to showcase your floral design skills to potential employers or clients.
Your portfolio should highlight your skills and the variety of designs and displays you’ve created.
You may want to create a website so that you can display your portfolio online.
Floral Designer Programs and Classes
Since there are no national or statewide requirements for floral designers, it’s possible to start this career with a high school diploma or GED.
That said, education and experience can give you more career opportunities.
There is a wide range of training options for floral designers in Michigan, including certificate programs and associate degrees.
Available programs include:
Macomb Community College
MCC offers a certificate program that can be completed in under a year.
There are a total of eight required classes, bringing the total cost to around $2,300 for in-state students.
During the program, you’ll learn more about what flowers symbolize.
You’ll also develop valuable skills, like gluing techniques.
North Central Michigan College
This school offers open-enrollment, self-paced floral design programs that take around six months to complete.
The courses teach floral design fundamentals but do not provide a certificate.
Costs for the introductory course start at $1,695, while the intermediate course is $1,895.
Michigan State University
While MSU doesn’t have a floral design program, they do have a class on the basics of floral design.
Tuition rates for Michigan residents are around $15,436.
Students taking fewer than 12 credit hours pay $506.50 per credit hour, bringing the cost of the class to $1013.
Great Lakes Floral Association
GLFA is a professional organization for florists.
They have introductory and intermediate courses in floral design, along with continuing education opportunities.
Rates for the introductory course start at $1,250.
The program takes five days to complete, with 36 hours of instruction time.
Floral Career Academy
At Floral Career Academy, you can take beginning, advanced, and wedding design classes in fresh or silk floral design.
Business classes are also available.
Each level consists of eight two-hour courses.
Each beginner class costs $400, while advanced classes cost $600.
Floral Designer Schools in Michigan – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Macomb Community College | 14500 Twelve Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48088, USA |
| North Central Michigan College | 1515 Howard St, Petoskey, MI 49770, USA |
| Michigan State University | Michigan, USA |
| Great Lakes Floral Association | 1152 Haslett Rd, Haslett, MI 48840, USA |
| Floral Career Academy | 1152 Haslett Rd, Haslett, MI 48840, USA |
Salary for a Floral Designer in Michigan
Michigan floral designer salaries can vary based on several factors, like education and experience.
Typical salaries range from $44,657 to $66,481.
On average, floral designers in Detroit, MI earn $55,010, while floral designers in Lansing, MI earn $52,665.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $55,128 |
| Grand Rapids | $52,877 |
| Warren | $55,128 |
| Flint | $50,823 |
| Sterling Heights | $54,954 |
| Lansing | $52,779 |
| Ann Arbor | $56,263 |
| Livonia | $54,954 |
| Dearborn | $55,128 |
| Westland | $55,477 |
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 90 | $34,990 | $16.82 | $45,310 | $30,180 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 600 | $35,810 | $17.22 | $47,520 | $29,190 |
| Flint, MI | 70 | $33,780 | $16.24 | $45,490 | $27,590 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 480 | $33,960 | $16.33 | $45,680 | $28,780 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 60 | $34,160 | $16.42 | $43,940 | $25,200 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 60 | $34,360 | $16.52 | $45,760 | $24,960 |
| Muskegon, MI | 40 | $32,230 | $15.5 | $44,910 | $26,940 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 50 | $32,600 | $15.67 | $44,650 | $28,340 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Become a Certified Florist In Michigan?
The Great Lakes Floral Association has between two and four certification exams per year.
It consists of a written and a hands-on exam.
The written exam is taken online, and the hands-on exam can be completed online or in person at the GLFA Center in Haslett, MI.
How Long Is the Michigan Florist Certification Exam?
The written exam is two hours, while the hands-on exam is 2 1/2 hours.
During the hands-on exam, you’ll be required to make five designs, including a wedding bouquet and a bouquet in a vase.
What Score Is Needed to Pass the Michigan Floral Design Certification Exam?
To become a certified florist, you’ll need a score of 80% or higher on both parts of the exam.
You can request a manual and study guide that will help you prepare for the test.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Floral Designer
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