There are over 200,000 full-time cannabis jobs in the United States, according to a study by Leafly. That is a 15% increase over the past year, making the cannabis industry a lucrative field to join. This industry has bypassed all doubt and continues to thrive and grow every year.
If you are thinking of joining the cannabis industry, you’re certainly not alone. Just like with any job field, there are many different positions available. Read on to learn the best jobs in the cannabis industry and start your new career today.
Cultivating Cannabis
Growing cannabis is the start of the cannabis industry. There are many different parts of this job that you can become a part of, especially if you’re interested in farming and growing marijuana.
Master Grower: $50K – $120K
This is one of the highest paying marijuana careers. A master grower is responsible for managing large growing operations. This includes planting and cloning, providing plant nutrition, controlling pests, introducing grow-house technology, and staffing the operation.
Master Growers are also responsible for working with law enforcement and inspectors to keep everything running smoothly. Experience with botany or horticulture can help you have a head start with this position.
Trimmer: $17K – $41K
A trimmer is a great way to get your foot in the door in the cannabis industry. It is one of the most common entry-level jobs. This is a more physical job and requires you to be in the field removing buds from the plants, trimming the larger leaves, and drying out the buds to prepare for sale.
It is one of the most popular marijuana positions in California, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. If you are quick and enjoy gardening or farming, this could be an excellent job for you.
Extracting Cannabis
The next part of the cannabis process is extraction. Part of the plant is sold as the flower or bud, and the rest is sent to be turned into cannabis extracts, either as tinctures or oils. If you have a background in science or chemistry, this could be the field for you.
Master Extractor: $80K – $250K
A master extractor is one of the highest paying jobs in the marijuana industry. As the master extractor, you will oversee the extraction process, making sure production is safe and effective. Accurately extracting the exact precise amounts of THC and CBD is the most important part of the job and requires knowledge and meticulous skill.
You will also be responsible for managing the lab facilities and adhering to safety and governmental standards. Generally, to achieve this position you must have a Ph.D. in biochemistry and engineering experience.
Quality Manager: $50K – $100K
The quality manager is responsible for testing the cannabis extracts before sending them off. This ensures the production practices are at exceptional levels, reviewing the cannabis testing methods.
If there are any complaints about the quality of the cannabis, the quality manager is responsible for investigating them. If there is a quality issue, the quality manager must take steps to correct it. They must also create preventative measures to ensure quality products that are safe.
Manufacturing Cannabis
This is the last step before actually selling cannabis. Manufacturing cannabis is the preparation and packaging of the products, such as edibles, tinctures, and vapes, to retail stores. You can gain experience for this job by having manufacturing experience in other industries.
Facility Manager: $65K – $176K
This is one of the top-level jobs in the manufacturing field. The facility manager is responsible for overseeing the manufacturing operations, making sure the inventory team is productive and quick.
They are responsible for making sure dispensary clients are receiving the correct products on time. A background in business management is a huge plus for this position, as well as having experience scheduling and budgeting.
Edibles Chef: $40K – $90K
If you have a culinary arts background and want to dive into careers in cannabis, this is the field for you. There are many companies that need professional chefs and pastry chefs to create marijuana-infused food and baked goods. You have to be a master of food and marijuana to learn how to precisely infuse food and drinks at the correct dosages.
Selling Cannabis
The last stage in the cannabis industry is selling it. There are a variety of jobs in this particular section of the marijuana industry, as there is with any other retail business. Depending on your experience and skills, you will be able to find the right job for you.
Dispensary Manager: $40K – $75K
A dispensary manager is similar to a manager in any high-end retail store. They oversee all THC staffing and scheduling, are responsible for having complete product knowledge, and have excellent customer service and selling experience. Knowing the marijuana industry backward and forward is essential for a dispensary manager.
Often, dispensaries will look for similar management experience or a background in pharmacology. Dispensary managers usually enjoy the benefits of a good salary, health insurance, and paid vacation time.
Budtender: $24K – $40K
This is a position that requires great listening, sales, and customer service skills. Like the dispensary manager, they must have the complete product knowledge to find the exact right strain for each customer’s needs.
They must know the difference between the different strain types and how different levels of THC and CBD content can affect someone. Each strain also has its own aroma and flavor profiles, so there is a lot to understand and remember. Because of this, this position is often compared to bartenders, and budtenders generally receive tips.
Best Jobs in the Cannabis Industry
If you’re looking for the best jobs in the cannabis industry, you have to consider what you most enjoy, and what you have the most experience in. Some of the higher-paying jobs are more technical, while others may be less stressful but pay a little less.
Whatever you choose, you can be sure you’re joining an ever-growing industry that is just beginning to blossom. If you enjoyed this article and want even more great content, browse through our catalog!
