The findings show a slight increase in wages in 2010, going from a 1.19% rise in 2009 to 2.12% in 2010, but reveal a decrease in salaries paid to those in senior posts at both nurseries and garden centres.
The average salary paid to sales managers in the nursery sector has fallen from £32,475 in 2009 to £31,555 in 2010, and the survey reveals that the number of these posts has decreased.
HTA HR consultant Penny Worner said: "The data received showed an unusually wide range of wage settlements which is an indicator of the uncertain economic situation in the garden sector.
"However, the overall average wage for the sector of 2.12% is only slightly below the UK average wage increase for 2010."