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Floral designers, also known as florists, create decorative displays, bouquets, and other arrangements from live flowers and greenery.
They can also use dried, silk, and other materials to make their decorative designs.
Floral designers can work in flower shops, supermarkets, gardens, greenhouses, banquet halls, and other venues.
A floral designer may also be self-employed.
This can be a great career choice for people that are creative, artistic, and have an eye for detail.
In South Carolina, there seems to be a higher demand for floral designers than in other parts of the country.
While the national demand is expected to decline by 21% over the next 10 years, the need is expected to decline by only 5% in South Carolina.
If you’re interested in becoming a floral designer in South Carolina, read on for more information.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Steps To Becoming A Floral Designer In South Carolina
- 2 Floral Designer Programs/Classes In South Carolina
- 3 Floral Designers Schools in South Carolina – Summary Table
- 4 Salary For Floral Designers In South Carolina
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions
Steps To Becoming A Floral Designer In South Carolina
There are no regulations that govern floral designers in South Carolina.
Meaning you do not need to have a degree, certificate, or license.
Sometimes people just apply for a job at a shop and learn as they go.
However, it is always helpful to be knowledgeable about your work before starting.
It can be helpful to a floral design career if the following steps are followed.
Get your high school diploma or GED.
This can be helpful if you decide to further your education in floral design.
Find a job (or even volunteer) at a floral shop where the owner is willing to apprentice you.
Find a school that offers classes in floral design, botany, and even business and customer service.
If you want to take your skills to the next level, consider taking a degree program in floral design and earning certification as a floral designer.
Again, these are not state or local requirements, but suggestions for becoming a great florist that stands out from others.
It’s also helpful if you decide to open your own business.
Floral Designer Programs/Classes In South Carolina
1. Midlands Technical College
About The School
Midlands Technical School offers over 150 degree and certification programs.
Students can attend online, in person, or hybrid, depending on the course of study.
Students are supported through academic and career advisement, tutoring, and resources like research facilities, learning pods, and personalized learning.
About The Program
The floral design program is a 6-week course.
Students will learn about floral and decorative materials, equipment, principles of design, and color use.
The course will also cover table and vase arrangements, as well as grave covers, corsages, and bridal bouquets.
The price of the course is $399.
Address: 151 Powell Rd. Columbia, SC 29203
Phone: (803) 738-8324
Website: https://www.midlandstech.edu/programs-and-courses/floral-designer
2. Trident Technical School
About The School
Trident is a public community college that offers over 150 associate degree, certificate, and adult education programs.
All programs are free for residents of South Carolina.
Funding comes from the state lottery.
About The Program
The floral design program is 100 hours and students are awarded a certificate upon completion.
The courses include floral design basics, using texture, color, and balance to create bouquets and displays.
Students will also learn how to create funeral, holiday, and wedding designs.
Vase arranging, hand-tied bouquets, and prom flowers are also covered.
Address: 107 Community College Dr. Spartanburg, SC 29303
Phone: (843) 574-6111
Website: https://www.tridenttech.edu
3. Greenville Technical College
About The School
Greenville opened in 1962 as a vocational training school.
Today, they offer over 100 programs designed to train and educate students to successfully enter the workforce.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges, Greenville has 5 campuses and offers flexible classes.
Financial aid is available to most students.
About The Course
The floral design course offers students instruction in floral design fundamentals, floral standards, arranging aesthetics, product quality, and the history of floral design.
Students will learn how to assemble cascade, hand-tied, and corsage bouquets.
The price of the course is $299.
Address: 506 S. Pleasantburg Dr. Greensvilke, SC 29607
Phone; (864) 250-8000
Website: https://www.gvltec.edu
4. University Of South Carolina (Salkehatchie)
About The School
Part of the University of South Carolina family, the Salkehatchie campus was opened in 1965 to serve the educational needs of the residents of South Carolina’s low country area.
The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges.
They offer small classes and pride themselves on serving the community in which the campus resides.
About The Course
The college offers a prestigious floral design course entitled “Preston Bailey’s Fundamentals of Floral Design.”
Based on the highly regarded experts’ work, the course is 240 hours in total.
Students will learn the tips and tricks that industry leaders depend on.
Students will also build a floral design tool kit as they learn to use various materials.
They will be assisted in creating a portfolio of their work as they learn to create various floral designs like wedding displays, ceremonial decor, and table arrangements.
The business aspect of the flower business will also be covered.
The cost of the course is $1,600.
Address: 465 James Brand Blvd. Allendale, SC 29810
Phone; (803) 584-3446
Website: https://www.sc.edu/about/system_and_campuses/salkehatchie/index.php
Floral Designers Schools in South Carolina – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Midlands Technical College | 151 Powell Rd, Columbia, SC 29203, United States |
| Trident Technical School | 107 Community College Dr. Spartanburg, SC 29303 |
| Greenville Technical College | 506 S. Pleasantburg Dr. Greensvilke, SC 29607 |
| University Of South Carolina (Salkehatchie) | 465 James Brand Blvd. Allendale, SC 29810 |
Salary For Floral Designers In South Carolina
The average salary for a floral designer in South Carolina is $50,924.
However, the range can be anywhere from $41,000 to $61,000 depending on many factors.
Some of those factors include experience, location, reputation, and education.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $50,415 |
| Charleston | $51,666 |
| North Charleston | $51,666 |
| Greenville | $51,408 |
| Rock Hill | $53,552 |
| Mount Pleasant | $51,666 |
| Spartanburg | $51,136 |
| Sumter | $48,650 |
| Hilton Head Island | $50,793 |
| Florence | $49,041 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 120 | $36,900 | $17.74 | $48,340 | $19,880 |
| Columbia, SC | 100 | $33,640 | $16.17 | $43,320 | $24,700 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 80 | $33,190 | $15.96 | $45,790 | $18,880 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 40 | $32,410 | $15.58 | $44,000 | $22,550 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 30 | $34,890 | $16.78 | $46,000 | $23,400 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some additional courses that can be helpful to floral designers?
Courses like botany, biology, art, interior design, and business are all helpful to floral designers.
What are some pros and cons of being a floral designer?
Some of the cons are that there’s little room for advancement, the salary can be lower than in other careers, and some customers can be difficult.
The pros are, there’s no expensive degree, you have a great creative outlet, and you can make people happy.
Interior design, event planning, and working in a nursery are all connected to floral design.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Floral Designer
Floral Design by State