What USA plants are edible?

Good jobs in northwestern USA working with plants

• Question: What types of jobs are available in northwestern USA that are similar to the atmosphere of working at a plant nursary, but pay a higher salary. I am looking for jobs that typically require a bachelors degree, and pay $40,000 or more on average because the employee has a bachelors degree. Background: I have a friend that wants to study at a university in order to get a higher paying job, but is afraid to leave his current job for fear of losing his $25,000 per year position. He enjoys his work, but is approaching 30 years old and wants to be making more money. This is in part because he is married, has two kids, and his wife cannot easily work because she is raising the kids. He will likely continue to work at the plant nursary for four years while he studies at a local college or university, then hopes to get a job that he enjoys as much as his current job, that pays more money to people with degrees. Desired aspects of job: 1. Pays more than $40,000 per year on average 2. Has opportunities to interact with people 3. Opportunities for hands on work 4. Working with plants or trees, or both 5. Does not require more than 45 hours to be worked per week 6. Does not require that he is away from his family for more than a day or two per month. Please provide average pay rates for jobs, typical degrees required for these jobs, and descriptions of the jobs. I am -not- looking for jobs currently available :) Thanks!

• Answer:

  Hello Tony, I have found a number of jobs in the plant/nursery field that may help your friend to decide what path he wants to take. First of all, I?d like to discuss with you earnings from and cost of getting a couple different types of degrees. We?ll break down costs on average of college and discuss future earnings potential. This should help him make the decision to go to college. After that, we?ll talk jobs. Getting a college degree really ups your hiring potential no matter what. According to 2003 Census Bureau Statistics, a worker with a Associates degree makes $8,000.00 a year more on average than someone with a HS Diploma. If that same person gets a Bachelor?s degree, they make on average $23,300.00 a year more on than their counterpart with a HS Diploma. You mention right now your friend makes $13.00 an hour, which works out to $27,040.00 a year. You said also he makes $25,000.00 a year. We?ll average those 2 figures out to $26,020.00 a year for math purposes. After getting a Bachelor?s Degree he would be making on average $49,320.00 a year. http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-advisor/indepth/will-getting-an-education-pay-for-itself.php For a 2 year Associates degree, you would add on $8,000.00 a year which would bring his annual pay up to $34,020.00 a year. I would STRONGLY recommend that your friend start with a 2 year degree. It?s MUCH cheaper, transfers into 4 year programs most times, and will increase his earning potential 2 years sooner to help him afford those last 2 years of college for a Bachelor?s Degree. They offer more flexible classes to work around ?non-traditional? student?s work and family obligations. He could work during the day, take 2 or 3 classes during nights/weekends, and still have a few nights and weekend day(s)/nights(s) home with the family. Let me quote you a paragraph from the Occupational Outlook Quarterly Winter 2002-03. ?Starting college in an associate degree program has several advantages, including the one most often cited: saving money. For example, in the 2000-01 academic year, average annual in-state tuition and fees were $1,359 at public 2-year community colleges, compared with $3,506 at public 4-year colleges?a savings of more than $2,000. Because many associate degree programs are offered at community colleges, students live nearby?thus avoiding the added expenses of room and board often needed for relocating to a 4-year college or university. And the cost of an associate degree is rising more slowly than that of a bachelor?s. Taking grants into account, the cost of an associate degree has not risen in the last decade.? http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/winter/art01.pdf You stated that he?s looking at $80,000.00 for college costs. Doing 2 years at a Community College and another 2 at a State School 4-year. The cost should be on average $9,730.00 plus books. (OOH 2002-03 ? See link above) This is a lot less than $80,000.00 for a 4 year degree like you stated. After 2 years at a Community College at the cost of $2,718.00, he?ll have on average an $8,000.00 increase in salary which will pay for the cost of his Associates degree in the 1st year he uses it. After 4 years at school with a Bachelor?s Degree his salary will be on average $49,320.00, which is $23,300.00 higher then he was making prior to getting his Bachelor?s. This all at a cost of $9,730.00 plus books. The investment is well worth the return. Even if he spends $25,000.00 on a 4 year degree and books at a State School, skipping the Community College idea, his earning potential afterwards justifies the expense. Also, consider grants and financial aid as well. As a Non-traditional student working full time with a family, he should be able to get some financial assistance for school. Please check out this link for additional information. http://www.fool.com/college/college01.htm The Motley Fool - COLLEGE SAVINGS CENTER How Much Will It Cost? Anyway, I hope that helps him to make a financial decision for him and his family. Now, onto the job ideas. Landscape Architect According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) for Landscape Architects (Which is what a 4 year degree is in ? typically) ?Employment of landscape architects is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014.? http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos039.htm That?s an increase of 18 to 26% in that job market. As far as earnings potential from the OOH. ?In May 2004, median annual earnings for landscape architects were $53,120. The middle 50 percent earned between $40,930 and $70,400. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,390 and the highest 10 percent earned over $90,850. Architectural, engineering, and related services employed more landscape architects than any other group of industries, and there the median annual earnings were $51,670 in May 2004. In 2005, the average annual salary for all landscape architects in the Federal Government in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions was $74,508. Because many landscape architects work for small firms or are self-employed, benefits tend to be less generous than those provided to workers in large organizations.? This more then meets the requirements for his earnings. With the average salary being $51,670.00, even with a $25,000.00 College investment in a 4 year degree, his salary would jump from $26,020.00 a year now, which is a $25,650.00 jump. He?ll recoup the cost of 4 tears of college in 1 year of pay with a Bachelor?s degree in Landscape Architecture. http://www.architects-online.org/usindex.htm (Architects Online) 2002 Low/High/Average Salary Survey for Architects in the NW. Alaska 67614 88200 77907 Arizona 54870 71400 63135 California 59590 77600 68595 Idaho 51920 67500 59710 Montana 52510 68200 60355 Nevada 55814 72600 64207 Oregon 51212 70600 60906 Utah 54280 70700 62490 37720 46000 Washington 57466 75500 66483 http://www.architects-online.org/uswestern_region_salary_survey.htm http://www.asla.org/ (American Society of Landscape Architects) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Agricultural and Food Scientists ?Plant science. Agronomy, crop science, entomology, and plant breeding are included in plant science. Scientists in these disciplines study plants and their growth in soils, helping producers of food, feed, and fiber crops to continue to feed a growing population while conserving natural resources and maintaining the environment. Agronomists and crop scientists not only help increase productivity, but also study ways to improve the nutritional value of crops and the quality of seed, often through biotechnology. Some crop scientists study the breeding, physiology, and management of crops and use genetic engineering to develop crops resistant to pests and drought. Entomologists conduct research to develop new technologies to control or eliminate pests in infested areas and to prevent the spread of harmful pests to new areas, as well as technologies that are compatible with the environment. They also conduct research or engage in oversight activities aimed at halting the spread of insect-borne disease.? http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos046.htm This job is growing as "fast as average" in the job market which is an increase 9 to 17%. ?A bachelor?s degree in agricultural science is useful for managerial jobs in businesses that deal with ranchers and farmers, such as feed, fertilizer, seed, and farm equipment manufacturers; retailers or wholesalers; and farm credit institutions. In some cases, persons with a 4-year degree can provide consulting services or work in sales and marketing?promoting high-demand products such as organic foods.? This would be a good degree for a Nursery/Plant manager to have as well as Landscape Architect. The average annual earnings for this job is $50,840.00. ?According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, beginning salary offers in 2005 for graduates with a bachelor?s degree in animal sciences averaged $30,614 a year; plant sciences, $31,649 a year; and in other agricultural sciences, $36,189 a year.? http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos046.htm So, there?s an idea of how going to college to get a degree related to working with plants will benefit your friend. There are also a few job titles and ideas to get him started in the job field. If this answer requires further explanation, please request clarification before rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this further. Nenna-GA Google Answers Researcher Google Searches Used: ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=jobs+bachelor%27s+in+landscape&btnG=Search jobs bachelor's in landscape ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=plant%20degrees&btnG=Google+Search plant degrees ://www.google.com/search?q=average+cost+of+an+associate%27s+degree&hl=en&lr=&start=30&sa=N average cost of an associate's degree ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=high%20school%20diploma%20vs%20bachelors&btnG=Google+Search high school diploma vs bachelors ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=nursery+jobs+&btnG=Search nursery jobs ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=landscape%20jobs%20&btnG=Google+Search landscape jobs