Cannabis Companies Hiring and Paying More Than Other Industries
With Illinois becoming the 11th state to legalize cannabis, Delaware inching forward to becoming #12, and New Jersey and New York on the verge of ending prohibition, it is easy to see that the cannabis industry is growing across the United States. The growth of the sector is also aided by more medical measures passing in more conservative states like Missouri and Utah, momentum for positive reforms at the federal level, and progressive policies being implemented around the world, most notably in Canada where cannabis flower is legal for all adults and edibles and other products are about to become available soon (the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Vancouver will have the details). With a newly legalized industry comes jobs, and cannabis companies are hiring and, on average, are paying more than other business sectors, as reported by CNBC.com:
Cannabis workers earn a good wage too — about 11 percent more than the U.S. median salary of $52,863, according to Glassdoor’s December 2018 Local Pay Report. The median paycheck in the industry is $58,511 a year, or $5,648 more than the national figure, though individual salaries can range from $22,326 annually for service jobs all the way up to $215,384 annually for legal professionals.
The most in-demand cannabis jobs tend to be in service or retail — think roles like brand ambassador and sales associate — which each account for 5 percent of available jobs. But that’s mostly because higher level or more technical roles tend to be more varied, making them unlikely to be concentrated under the same title.
You’ll have the best luck if you’re job-hunting in larger cannabis-friendly cities such as San Francisco, which has the most open roles of any area — about 13 percent of all listings; Los Angeles, which accounts for 12 percent of listings; and Denver, which has 7 percent.
While cannabis companies are pulling in people from various business sectors, knowledge of the cannabis plant and industry can only aid prospective employees looking to enter the marijuana market. If you can combine skills and talents from other sectors that translate well to the cannabis industry with insider knowledge, then you’re well on your way. With federal prohibition likely to end in the U.S. within the next several years, there’s no time like the present to prepare for the switch, whether you are a prospective employee or employer.
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn the latest and network with top investors, entrepreneurs, and employers at the next International Cannabis Business Conference this September 15th-16th in Vancouver, Canada. Discounted, early bird tickets are on sale until August 21st.
