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Horticultural consultant : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
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Case studies

  • Starting salaries for new graduates: £17,000 - £20,000. Starting salaries for more experienced entrants depend on ability and experience.
  • Consultants and senior managers in the public sector can earn from £25,000 to £45,000+.
  • Range of typical salaries for independent consultants employed by agricultural and horticultural management consultancy firms after 10-15 years in the role: £35,000 - £65,000. Salaries may be higher for those who reach partnership level.
  • Consultants working independently may initially appear to earn higher salaries, but, after the deduction of administrative and operational expenses, a take-home salary of £30,000 - £40,000 is probably more realistic. Only the hours worked directly on behalf of the client generate income. (All salary data collected December 2010.)
  • Much horticultural consultancy is project-based, with fees based on time. Either a daily rate or an agreed fee is negotiated for advice given and reports produced within time limits. However, if you are an agronomist or crop specialist, you may receive an ‘acreage (land area in acres) fee’.
  • Working hours vary with client demand and may be long and unsocial. Workloads may vary according to the season. 
  • This is currently a male-dominated profession although the balance is starting to change. Part-time work and career breaks are possible once a strong client base has been established.
  • Many consultants are self-employed. Considerable experience is required to set up a consultancy business, so opportunities for self-employment tend to occur later in a career.
  • Horticultural consultancy is a demanding job requiring dedication and mobility. Many consultants work from home and report to an office, which is usually based in an urban centre. Home is the office for most independent consultants.
  • Travel within a working day is common - up to 75% of working time may be spent out of the office, travelling and on site.
  • It is probable that horticultural consultants will often be exposed to the extremes of the season; wind, rain, sun etc.
 
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date: 
January 2011
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