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There is great joy that comes with creating floral arrangements that are used at special events for customers.
Therefore, the aspiration of becoming a floral designer is something expressed by many in New Mexico.
If you have ever had that same aspiration yourself, then you need to know about the requirements that you must meet to become a certified floral designer (CFD) in New Mexico.
Article Table of Contents
Steps to Become a Certified Floral Designer in New Mexico
The layperson doesn’t spend much time thinking about the kind of training and testing necessary for someone to create the floral arrangements that they might bring to a special event.
It turns out that there is a lot more that goes into becoming a CFD than one might suspect.
This is why you should make sure you know what you are getting into before pursuing a career as a CFD in New Mexico.
There are a few different routes that one might take to obtain the skills required to become a CFD in New Mexico.
Apprenticeship Programs
There aren’t any statewide regulations that govern who can become a floral designer, but that doesn’t mean that just anyone off of the street will find success with this kind of career.
Instead, many people opt to apply for apprenticeship programs to help train the kind of people who have worked in this field for some time already.
In fact, the apprenticeship route is one of the best ways to pursue your interest in floral design.
The great thing about apprenticeship programs is that you can get some real-world experience and pick the brain of someone who is actively working in floral decoration and design.
Working as an apprentice might also help some people to bridge this into a full-time job with the person that they serve.
Many floral design shops want to see someone come to them and express a true desire to learn the ins and outs of floral design before they hire them on a full-time basis.
Certified Floral Designer (CFD)
Some people are interested in ensuring they have an official title that makes them appear legitimate to the outside public.
The title in question is that of a Certified Floral Designer (CFD).
This is the kind of thing that provides many customers with great peace of mind when they are looking for the kind of help that they need to get the floral designs they require for a special event.
To obtain the CFD title, it is required that one passes a specific set of tests that prove their knowledge and abilities in the floral design space.
There is an online test that one must take to make test their knowledge of how the industry works.
On top of that, they need to make sure they will need to pass a hands-on portion in which they demonstrate their skills.
Once all of that is done, then one can call themselves a CFD and perhaps use this title to attract new customers or demand a higher salary if one works for someone else.
What Kind of Floral Designer Classes are Available in New Mexico?
There are a couple of different schools where one can learn what they need to learn about floral design in New Mexico.
In fact, it is one of the better states for offering this type of training.
A couple of the schools worth looking at are:
Cutting Edge Flowers
Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this business offers a one-day floral designer class that provides a significant amount of information that you may need to design flowers in a visually-appealing way.
You don’t have to invest too much time or money to get involved with this.
It costs just $65 and lasts only one hour. Best of all, class sizes are capped at 10 people per training.
Therefore, you can get the one-on-one attention that you need to ask questions and get information from the class.
Penn Foster Career School
If you want to go further and end up with a full CFD for yourself, then you should consider the Penn Foster Career School.
You are making a much bigger investment with this school, but you are also receiving a lot more value for your investment as well.
This course is offered over the course of five months, and you will have a total cost outlay of $650 to take these classes.
These are both great options depending on how far you want to go with the lessons that you can take to help make yourself a better floral designer.
Both of these options are great ways to make sure you end up with the information and knowledge that you need to help yourself become a better floral designer moving forward.
Floral Designer Schools in New Mexico – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Cutting Edge Flowers | 3482 Zafarano Dr b, Santa Fe, NM 87507, United States |
| Penn Foster Career School | 925 Oak St, Scranton, PA 18515, United States |
Salary Expectations
It is possible to earn a decent living as a floral designer in New Mexico.
Some of the median salaries for this role based on different cities within New Mexico are as follows:
- Hobbs, NM – $48,568
- Las Cruces, NM – $46,245
- Clovis, NM – $49,011
These are all median salaries that one can potentially expect to get from the job of a floral designer in these different cities in New Mexico.
These salaries may vary based on the level of experience and education that one has.
However, even those just starting out can make a decent income for themselves as floral designers in New Mexico.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $51,154 |
| Las Cruces | $46,245 |
| Rio Rancho | $50,991 |
| Santa Fe | $51,413 |
| Roswell | $47,714 |
| Farmington | $50,468 |
| Alamogordo | $48,530 |
| Clovis | $49,011 |
| Hobbs | $48,568 |
| Carlsbad | $47,714 |
Regional Salary in New Mexico
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 100 | $30,170 | $14.5 | $35,680 | $24,960 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience do you need to land a job?
It may be necessary for you to obtain approximately six months of experience in New Mexico before most employers will consider giving you a shot.
However, some employers will waive this requirement if you have a nationally recognized certification from a truly accredited program.
That is the kind of thing that can help you earn additional respect from potential employers.
What score on your PFDE test do you need to be a certified floral designer in New Mexico?
The minimum score you must obtain on the PFDE test is at least an 80 to qualify as a certified floral designer.
Where else can you obtain knowledge on the industry in New Mexico?
There are a number of places where you can obtain the knowledge that you need to start a career in the floral design industry.
You can check out local garden clubs, workshops, and even local flower shops in your town to obtain the information that you need to get set up with the information that you require to take on a career in floral design.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Floral Designer
Floral Design by State
Floral designers in New Mexico often have the chance to work on a variety of events, from weddings to local celebrations, making it a dynamic and in-demand profession.
Being a floral designer in NM allows you to express your creativity through the art of arranging beautiful and unique floral displays.
The state’s love for vibrant and colorful blooms provides excellent opportunities for floral designers to showcase their skills and craft memorable arrangements.
New Mexico’s community spirit and appreciation for art and culture can relate a supportive environment for floral designers to flourish in their careers.