Report Says US Cannabis Jobs To Reach 800,000 In 2029 Despite Salary Reductions
Should You Be Wary About The Salary Reductions?
Employment in the United States has brought about more lucrative opportunities than ever, in the last few years, thanks to the US cannabis industry. Even though the industry itself has seen better days, working in it has given people often much better options.
Individuals who want to make a career shift can jump into the various roles offered in the cannabis industry. And hey, you don’t even have to touch the plant to benefit from the cannabis industry. Individuals can work in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and so much more. However, the cannabis industry has always had its fair share of challenges, which were reflected in employment too.
According to the CannabizTeam’s Cannabis Industry Salary Guide for 2025, salary reductions took a huge hit in 2024. Salaries dropped from 3 to 8%, but despite that, wages for the industry are still much better compared to other mature industries. “People employed in the cannabis industry in 2024 faced significant challenges, such as layoffs and wage decreases, resulting in many employees leaving the industry,” explained CannabizTeam’s CEO, Liesl Bernard, to Benzinga. “These shifts were driven by companies battling falling cannabis prices, market oversaturation, and burdensome taxes and other regulatory costs,” Bernard added.
That said, there’s hope for a better future with the expectations that legal reforms and federal rescheduling may finally be on the horizon. These may result in better salaries as well as even better job growth.
According to the CannabizTeam 2025 report, they also estimate that the cannabis industry may yield 800,000 new jobs come 2029. They’ve also noted that governments are issuing licenses, which mean that the industry’s growth is steady. In addition, they indicate that Washington DC and Minnesota are forecasted to issue several hundred new cannabis licenses by this year, while Nebraska may finally launch its medical marijuana program later this year.
A Closer Look Into Salaries And Factors That Caused A Drop
The salaries in the cannabis industry are more favorable compared to similar roles in other industries; this has been observed to be true especially for specialized roles and lower-skilled jobs. For example, trimmers, budtenders, and dispensary manager salaries range from $12 up to $25 per hour, which is more than similar roles in mainstream markets.
Meanwhile, midlevel as well as specialized roles such as marijuana growers, extractors, and compliance professionals enjoy competitive or even better salaries compared to other industries. In fact, sales representatives, lab technicians, and project managers can early annual salaries of up to $70,000, which is competitive for similar roles in other industries. Overall, salaries in the cannabis industry range from $84,000 up to $126,000 yearly, which is a solid range compared to other industries.
It’s also good to keep in mind that there are regional or geographic variations in cannabis industry salaries, which are affected by the maturity of the market and cost of living. To cite an example, California cannabis industry workers earn $150,000 and up, while other states have lower salaries. But outside of California, Illinois and Virginia have been known to have higher-than-average wages in cannabis jobs.
So for job seekers who want to make the most cash possible, California is your best bet. But either way, cannabis job salaries are still more competitive compared to mainstream sectors, which still make it somewhat stable despite the factors that caused a drop.
Speaking of factors, these have ranged over the past few years but we know that wholesale cannabis prices have seen a massive drop. As a result, retailers, growers, and manufacturers have truly felt the pinch; they have been forced to reduce salaries in order to stay afloat.
Many markets have also seen oversaturation due to rapid expansions, leading to oversupplies in several states that have only driven revenues down. Because of oversaturation, layoffs and salary reductions had to be done by businesses in order to stay profitable.
Sadly, the cannabis industry has always been plagued by regulatory costs and high taxes, which is a serious financial burden. Federal, state, and local regulations make it extremely complex for cannabis businesses, leaving them with no choice but to deal with strained finances and reduce wages.
Is It Wise To Make Cannabis Your First Job Choice?
The cannabis industry is now a major job generator, responsible for the creation of more than 440,000 full-time roles just last year. That’s more than a 5% jump from the previous year, which shows how the cannabis industry has recovered well from the pandemic.
There are now several programs around the country aimed at training a growing workforce that possesses the necessary professional skills to be successful in marijuana, such as harvesting, cultivation, and growing – even roles that don’t require one to touch the plant, such as selling it for recreational or medical use. Even though salaries may seasonally increase or decrease due to various business, economic, and political factors, the industry still provides a stable growing sector, abundant in career opportunities and competitive salaries.
Conclusion
Whether you’re thinking about your first career, or you want to make a total pivot, the cannabis industry is a good idea. Keep in mind that one must have an appetite for risk, somewhat, because the industry is still not legal on the federal level and is thus prone to its own unique set of challenges. Think well and hard about having a back up plan, if this is your first job. It’s always recommended to approach it with an adaptable mindset.
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