How to Become a Floral Designer in Illinois (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Illinois employs about 1,760 floral designers earning a median $35,880 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Floral Designer here means completing a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role.

Illinois employs approximately 1,760 floral designers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,880 1. Nationally, floral designer employment is projected to grow -5.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 5,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Floral Designer in Illinois, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: short course, certificate, or self-directed portfolio work (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role
  • Median wage (Illinois): $35,880 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Floral Designer in Illinois

How to become a Floral Designer in Illinois? Complete a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Illinois? Licensing varies. See the licensing section below for the Illinois path.

What do floral designers earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for floral designers in Illinois is $35,880 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,200 and experienced professionals can earn $47,270 or more 1.

How to Become a Floral Designer in Illinois

  1. Build skills and a portfolio. Complete a short course or certificate if you want structured training, then assemble a portfolio. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  2. Optional industry credentials. Tool or association credentials can help hiring. They are not a state occupational license.
  3. Most states do not license this role. Do not apply to a licensing board. Confirm employer expectations, not a state credential that does not exist.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Floral Designer License Requirements in Illinois

Most states do not license this role. The path is a portfolio and a short course or certificate, not a licensing board.

Typical path

  1. Build skills through a short course, certificate, or OJT.

  2. Assemble a portfolio.

  3. Do not apply to a licensing board for this role.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Floral Designer Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

Floral Designers Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), floral designers wages in Illinois vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin1,230$36,200$38,550$31,830$47,910
St. Louis460$35,430$37,800$31,050$46,440
Peoria70$34,690$35,100$31,200$39,380
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island60$34,280$36,620$31,200$47,980
Champaign-Urbana60$34,980$36,780$31,200$51,640
Rockford30$34,330$36,110$31,200$45,890

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for floral designers in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 1,760 floral designers 1. Nationally, floral designer employment is projected to grow -5.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Illinois.

How much do floral designers earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for floral designers in Illinois is $35,880, which is $240 below the national median of $36,120 according to BLS data 1.

In Illinois

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)