85103 – Nursery and greenhouse labourers
TEER 5Occupations usually needing a short work demonstration and no formal education
Lead statement
Nursery and greenhouse labourers plant, cultivate and harvest trees, shrubs, flowers and plants, and serve nursery and greenhouse customers.
Main duties
- Prepare soil; plant bulbs, seeds and cuttings; graft and bud plants; and transplant seedlings and rooted cuttings
- Monitor plants for healthy growth and potential weed, insect, disease, and fertilizer problems in greenhouse crops
- Spray trees, shrubs, flowers and plants to prevent disease and pests
- Position and regulate greenhouse and outdoor irrigation systems to water plants and fields
- Dig, cut and transplant trees, shrubs, flowers and plants and prepare them for sale
- Provide information to customers on gardening, the use of various garden tools and products and the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants and lawns
- May operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest and spray fields and plants
- Maintain inventory and order materials as required
- Clean working areas.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school may be required.
- Completion of college courses in horticulture or a related field may be required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- A provincial licence to apply chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides may be required.
Example job titles
Christmas tree shearer · Christmas tree trimmer · forest assistant nursery · forest nursery labourer · greenhouse labourer · hand sprayer - greenhouse · hothouse labourer · hydroponics labourer · interior plantscaper · nursery labourer · plant propagator - greenhouse or nursery · tree grafter - nursery · horticulture labourer · horticulturist helper · cannabis trimmer · cannabis trim labourer · grower - cannabis
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $15.25 | $19.50 | $29.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $17.35 | $24.85 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $18.50 | $24.00 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $18.00 | $21.00 |
| Quebec | $16.64 | $20.00 | $25.78 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $20.50 | $33.33 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $16.00 | $21.50 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $17.00 | $25.00 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | $19.50 | $25.00 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $19.00 | $29.36 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.