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We have seen a whirlwind of cannabis employment activity as new markets enter the scene. We've seen nothing short of exponential job growth in the cannabis industry with no signs of slowing down.

Are you interested in taking part in the fastest-growing industry in America? As a prospective cannabis employee, understanding the state of the industry and the hottest cannabis job markets can give you a better chance of finding an exciting and rewarding cannabis career.

Cannabis Employment Report

Cannabis markets are active in 25 adult-use states and territories and 39 medical-only states.

Cannabis job growth has been impressive compared to job growth in established industries like finance and construction. Cannabis jobs now outnumber jobs in other essential industries.

There are 418,059 full-time equivalent jobs in the U.S. cannabis industry.

That’s about 280 new jobs per day. These numbers include plant-touching jobs that deal directly with the plant and ancillary cannabis jobs that provide supplementary services such as accounting and security.

Cannabis Job Growth – 2017-2023

  • 2017  122,280 jobs
  • 2018  149,300 jobs
  • 2019  211,000 jobs
  • 2020  243,700 jobs
  • 2021  321,000 jobs
  • 2022  428,059 jobs
  • 2023 – 418,000 jobs

Cannabis Jobs – Top 10 States

  1. California – 83,607
  2. Colorado – 38,337
  3. Michigan – 31,152
  4. Illinois – 28,992
  5. Massachusetts – 27,120
  6. Pennsylvania – 26,932
  7. Florida – 25,895
  8. Arizona – 23,333
  9. Washington – 22,516
  10. Oregon – 19,938

Cannabis Jobs- From Seed to Sale

gloved hand holding a weed tincture

If you have a passion for cannabis, many job opportunities match your skills and experience. Even if you don’t have any experience, there are many ways to gain credentials and skills, including volunteering with local cannabis organizations.

What were the most in-demand cannabis jobs in 2023?

  • Cannabis Cultivation
  • Cannabis Manufacturing
  • Cannabis Retail
  • Cannabis Distribution
  • Cannabis Testing
  • Cannabis Infrastructure Management
  • Cannabis Human Resources

Cannabis job opportunities are available for entry-level to senior executive positions. Doing your research, gaining as much experience and education as you can, and networking can earn you a spot in the fastest-growing job market in the country.

Cannabis Job Salaries & Cannabis Employment Report

Cannabis companies look for experienced and talented employees, leading to competitive job salaries and benefits packages. However, cannabis job salaries vary on many factors, including company size, location, and your skills and experience.

In 2023, cannabis salaries increased by 4% and up to 10% for senior executives.

PositionLowHighMedian
Trimmer$31,600$38,900$35,250
Cultivation Technician$25,000$28,000$26,500
Director of Cultivation$94,00$192,700$143,350
Extraction Technician$43,400$73,500$58,450
Director of Extraction$90,500$187,900$139,200
Analytical Chemist$63,389$97,600$80,495
Testing Laboratory Manager$115,400$165,000$140,200
Dispensary Manager$77,400$110,400$93,900
Packaging Manager$47,800$68,900$58,350
Production Manager$73,000$102,300$87,650

Where to Look for Cannabis Jobs

In 2023, emerging cannabis markets across the country launched. Are you ready for the explosion in cannabis job opportunities? 

  • Arizona – Adult-use sales began at the start of 2021. In 2024, you can expect Arizona to be a top state for cannabis industry jobs.
  • California – This year, licensed operators will keep chipping away at the state’s largely illicit market, creating more legal cannabis jobs.
  • Connecticut – Adult-use shops opened on January 10th, 2023. Expect a flurry of new cannabis jobs across all sectors (cultivation, manufacturing, retail) this year.
  • Florida – The state’s medical cannabis market has experienced exponential growth with no signs of slowing down. In 2024, a vote on adult-use cannabis may propel the market to greater heights.
  • New Jersey – Recreational sales started in summer of 2022.
  • New Mexico – Adult-use sales began in early spring of 2022.
  • New York – Recreational shops opened December 29th, 2022.
  • Ohio – Recreational shops opened in December of 2023.
cannabis employment. Girl in a cannabis garden holding a bottle of cbd oil

How to Find a Cannabis Job

If you're interested in joining the cannabis workforce , here are some tips to keep in mind. 

  1. Know the rules – Rules and regulations for industry employees vary by state. Research age limits, training requirements, disqualifying offenses, drug testing rules, and work permit fees before applying for a job in your state. 
  2. Get cannabis certified – If you have a passion for cannabis, enrolling in a cannabis training course can give you the knowledge you need to gain a competitive advantage over other applicants with similar skills and experience.
  3. Create or update your resume – Cannabis industry resumes and cover letters should cover relevant work experience, education, and skills, even if they were acquired outside your employment or in a state with prohibitive cannabis laws.
  4. Find a cannabis job – Search major job boards like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Cannabis recruitment companies like CTU can also help you find the right career based on your skills. Networking at local industry events is one of the best ways to meet key players in the industry and showcase your value. Remote cannabis jobs are becoming more and more popular each year.

Adult Use Cannabis States

There are over 300,000 jobs in the cannabis industry. CTU trained me for one of them!

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Makes $24.50 @ THC +

  • Colorado
  • Washington
  • Alaska
  • Oregon
  • California
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts 
  • Nevada
  • Vermont 
  • Michigan 
  • Illinois
  • New Jersey
  • Montana
  • Arizona
  • New York
  • Virginia
  • New Mexico
  • Connecticut
  • Rhode Island
  • Missouri
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Minnesota
  • Ohio
  • D.C.

Earn Your Spot in the Industry with Online Cannabis Training

Cannabis industry employment is booming across all sectors and ancillary industries. If you want to earn a cannabis career, you need the right credentials and dedication to stand out from the pack. Get your credentials at Cannabis Training University.

Start your journey toward a new and fulfilling career! Join thousands of cannabis professionals worldwide. Enroll in a CTU cannabis certification program today! 

Fred Hernandez - Cannabis industry expert writer
Fred Hernandez

Fred Hernandez is a highly accomplished and versatile writer, boasting an extensive background in the cannabis industry. With an in-depth understanding of various sectors including cultivators, processors, retailers, and brands, Fred's expertise spans across the entire cannabis landscape. As a prominent contributor to CTU, he consistently delivers insightful articles exploring the latest developments, news, and regulations shaping the cannabis industry. Whether it's delving into the intricacies of cannabis products, cannabis strain reviews, or providing comprehensive analyses of cannabis laws, or sharing expert insights on cannabis cultivation techniques, Fred's wealth of knowledge positions him as an invaluable writer and educator for all cannabis-related subjects.

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