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Farmer, Tree Nursery Operator
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Greenhouse or nursery operators run wholesale and retail horticultural firms. Greenhouses typically grow flowers, produce, annuals, or other plants such as cannabis. Nurseries usually grow trees, shrubs, or perennial herbaceous plants.
Greenhouses and nurseries may deal with all plant varieties. Or they may specialize in one or a few types. Greenhouse or nursery operators’ duties and responsibilities vary based on what their business offers.
Greenhouse or nursery operators oversee the operation of their facilities. They:
Determine the type and quantity of plants to grow or stock
Determine the environmental conditions needed to grow the selected plants
Set planting and care schedules
Design, install, maintain, and program environmental control and irrigation systems
Supervise staff in planting, transplanting, pruning, feeding, and spraying plants
Identify and control problems caused by insects, rodents, birds, weeds, diseases, or nutritional deficiencies
Develop and implement pest management plans when needed
Ensure safe handling, use, storage, and disposal of pesticides, in compliance with provincial and federal regulations
Greenhouse or nursery operators also manage other parts of the business. They:
Develop marketing plans
Provide customers with information about plant selection and care
Order equipment and supplies
Hire, train, and supervise staff
Prepare and adhere to budgets
Maintain records
In smaller organizations, greenhouse or nursery operators may do some of the hands-on work. They:
Prepare soil for planting
Plant bulbs, seeds, and cuttings
Graft plants
Transplant or dig up seedlings and rooted cuttings
Train and prune plants
Remove weeds, spray plants with pesticides, and apply fertilizers
Position and regulate greenhouse irrigation systems
Set up irrigation systems
Construct benches, greenhouses, and other structures to grow and protect seedlings
The duties above are common to both occupations. However, some duties differ between greenhouse operators and nursery operators.
Greenhouse operators:
Perform basic structural repairs to the greenhouse, such as replacing coverings, vent motors, or environmental control components
Coordinate and perform exterior greenhouse maintenance such as cleaning glass or other glazing and installing adequate drainage
Operate and maintain carbon dioxide generators, ultraviolet sterilizers, water treatment machines, and related equipment
Keep up to date regarding new technologies and techniques such as biological crop protection, water capture and recirculation systems, and new plant varieties
Ensure compliance with applicable provincial and federal regulations regarding food safety
In smaller operations, greenhouse operators may also:
Position and regulate greenhouse irrigation systems
Maintain boilers, furnaces, electrical systems, and fans
Nursery operators:
Oversee equipment maintenance
Operate equipment such as tree spades, pesticide sprayers, and skid steers
In smaller operations, nursery operators may also:
Maintain irrigation systems
Prepare trees and shrubs for sale or shipment
Greenhouse or nursery operators can work full time, part time, or seasonally. They often work long, irregular hours, particularly in spring and summer. The work can be hectic and rewarding.
Greenhouse operators usually work indoors in greenhouses and offices. They may also work outdoors in shade houses. Those who work in facilities that operate year-round may experience different busy periods depending on the crops they’re growing.
Greenhouse operators sometimes work with pest-management products. When doing so, they need to use personal protective equipment (PPE). They may need to prune or pick at heights of up to 2 metres above the ground.
Nursery operators work outdoors in fields and shade houses. They also work indoors in greenhouses and offices. Some of the hands-on work is strenuous. They may need to lift items up to 20 kilograms.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
Managers in horticulture
2023 OaSIS: 80021.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Greenhouse or nursery operators need:
They should enjoy:
Greenhouse or nursery operators should have no severe allergies to plants, pollen, pesticides, or other chemicals.
Those in retail operations must be able to deal courteously and effectively with the public.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 40 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 03, 2021 and May 07, 2026.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Supervise staff in planting, transplanting, feeding and spraying | 37 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 34 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 33 |
| Construction Specialization: Initiative | 33 |
| Tasks: Establish and maintain required environment | 33 |
| Tasks: Establish work schedules | 32 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 29 |
| Tasks: Hire, train and supervise staff | 28 |
| Tasks: Identify and control insect, disease and weed problems | 25 |
| Tasks: Order materials and stock | 24 |
In the past, many greenhouse or nursery operators worked their way up to supervisory positions. They learned on the job and took related courses.
Today, graduates of post-secondary education programs in horticulture generally have a better chance of advancing to supervisory and management positions. For information about horticulture programs, see the Landscape Horticulturist occupational profile.
Computer skills are a definite asset.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
These organizations also offer short courses and workshops in horticulture:
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Pesticide applicators use pesticides (chemicals) as part of their paid employment to control pests such as weeds, diseases, or destructive insects or animals.
Pesticide dispensers sell and store pesticides as part of their paid employment.
Under Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act [pdf] and Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation [pdf], to apply a commercial-class pesticide such as insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide, you must be one of the following:
To sell pesticides, you must be a certified dispenser. There are 2 types of dispensers in Alberta:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Pesticide Applicator and Dispenser.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Greenhouse or nursery operators work in:
Wholesale horticultural firms
Retail horticultural firms
Government departments
Research centres
Some operators are self-employed. Others work for greenhouses or garden centres as managers. They range in size from small family businesses to operations employing over 100 people.
Greenhouse or nursery operators generally start in junior positions. Then they work their way up or start their own businesses. Advancement depends on aptitude, performance, and the availability of supervisory positions. Opportunities for advancement beyond the greenhouse operator level are limited. They require additional training in business and science.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Managers in horticulture
2016 NOC: 0822
89.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
Many NOC groups include 1 or more related occupations. The labour market data shown is for the whole group, not for a specific occupation. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Earnings for greenhouse or nursery operators vary considerably, particularly for those who are self-employed. Managers of large operations may earn much more.
Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association (AGGA) website: agga.ca
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) website: cnla.ca
Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Forestry website: alberta.ca/agriculture-and-forestry.aspx
Government of Alberta, Environment and Protected Areas website: alberta.ca/environment-and-protected-areas.aspx
Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association website: landscape-alberta.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
