Top States for Cannabis Careers in 2025
Top States for Cannabis Careers in 2025
The cannabis industry in the United States continues to be one of the fastest-growing employment sectors, expected to support nearly 440,000 full-time jobs in 2025 and climbing toward 793,000 jobs by 2029.
From retail and cultivation to compliance and extraction, opportunities are booming across the country. Let’s dive into the top states for cannabis careers in 2025, based on current job numbers, upcoming license issuances, and national salary trends.
California – Still the Green Giant
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Jobs: ~74,000
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Overview: California continues to dominate the cannabis job market, but it hasn’t reached its full potential. Estimates suggest it could eventually support up to 133,000 cannabis jobs.
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Why It’s Hot: Established infrastructure, legacy market experience, and a massive consumer base.
Michigan – Market Maturity With Momentum
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Jobs: 45,000+ and growing
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Why It’s Hot: Michigan’s low-barrier licensing model has encouraged both MSOs and mom-and-pop businesses. Strong consumer demand continues to fuel hiring in retail and cultivation.
New York – The Fastest Growing Market
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Jobs: 12,500+ cannabis professionals are already employed in New York.
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Why It’s Hot: Since launching legal sales in December 2022, New York’s cannabis industry has generated over $1.06 billion in total retail sales and awarded 80% of retail licenses to Social and Economic Equity (SEE) applicants. New York added 743 new cannabis licenses in 2024 and saw more than 200 new cannabis stores open statewide and it’s just scratching the surface. Keep an eye on the New York market for upcoming career opportunities.
Illinois – Midwest Leader
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Jobs: 30,000+
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Why It’s Hot: Illinois combines strong sales ($2B+ annually) with robust social equity licensing programs. Urban hubs like Chicago are driving employment in dispensary management, operations, and logistics.
Pennsylvania – Legalization in Waiting
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Why It’s Hot: Though adult-use cannabis is still pending, the market potential is huge. Pennsylvania’s large population and central location in the Northeast make it ripe for a job market explosion.
Missouri – Fast Growing New Market
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Jobs: 20,000+
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Overview: Missouri recreational cannabis sales started on February 3rd, 2023. Since then, Missouri has seen $3.2 billion in adult-use cannabis sales. This rate of growth in Missouri outpaces markets like Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada.
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Why It’s Hot: Low startup costs and favorable regulations have attracted entrepreneurs and MSOs alike. Budtending, cultivation, and delivery roles are quickly becoming commonplace.
Florida – Poised for Explosive Growth
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Jobs: Over 30,000+
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Why It’s Hot: While Florida currently permits only medical marijuana, its large population and high patient demand have created a booming market for dispensaries and cultivation facilities. A potential future push for adult-use legalization could double job growth.
New Jersey – Strategic Location Advantage
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Jobs: 15,000+
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Why It’s Hot: With access to New York City and Philadelphia markets, New Jersey’s cannabis businesses are growing steadily—particularly in processing and distribution.
Maryland – Rapid Retail Growth
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Jobs: 10,000+
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Why It’s Hot: Maryland’s streamlined rollout of adult-use cannabis is fueling job creation in dispensaries and cultivation. State-backed equity programs are supporting minority-owned cannabis businesses.
Ohio – Next in Line for a Boom
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Jobs: Estimated +8,000 coming soon
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Why It’s Hot: After legalizing recreational cannabis in 2024 and adding an additional 219 licenses, Ohio is poised for a surge in jobs across dispensary operations, delivery services, and security. Expect retail and transport roles to grow fastest.
Projected New Licenses in 2025
Several states are poised to issue new cannabis licenses in 2025, opening the door to thousands of new jobs:
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Minnesota: 324 licenses via lottery in May/June 2025
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Washington D.C.: 270+ dispensaries expected
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Rhode Island: 24 new retail licenses
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Nebraska: Medical cannabis licensing to begin October 2025
These license issuances indicate expanding job opportunities in these emerging markets.
National Cannabis Industry Salaries (2025)
Despite a slight industry-wide salary contraction (3–7% average decrease), cannabis wages remain competitive and often higher than similar roles in other sectors:
| Position | Median Salary (2025) |
|---|---|
| VP of Retail (MSO) | $246,450 |
| Director of Extraction (MSO) | $155,000 |
| Dispensary Manager | $99,450 |
| Budtender | $42,000 |
| Cultivation Technician | $27,450 |
| Sales Representative | $67,050 |
| Compliance Manager | $89,600 |
| Social Media Manager | $86,850 |
These figures from CannaBiz Team illustrate that careers in cannabis can be both personally and financially rewarding—especially in vertically integrated operations or MSOs (multi-state operators).
Prepare Now, Grow Later
With more than 440,000 cannabis jobs currently and projections nearing 800,000 by 2029, now is the time to enter or advance in this budding industry. Whether you’re looking to be a budtender, compliance officer, or cultivation tech, training and certification are your competitive edge.
👉 Interested in starting your cannabis career? Enroll in one of our online cannabis certification courses and get industry-ready in under 10 hours!