Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
Gem and Diamond Workers
SOC: 51-9071 O*NET: 51-9071.06
Median Salary
$49,140
per year
Job Growth
📉 -5.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
What does a Gem and Diamond Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$33,890
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,030
25th percentile
Median
$49,140
50th percentile
Experienced
$63,210
75th percentile
Top Earners
$81,610
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$33,890
25th
$38,030
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,140
Mean: $55,030
75th
$63,210
90th
$81,610
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $47,720 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,030 and $63,210
- •Salary spread is 51.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 23,420 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:35,100
Top Industries
Retail Trade51.5%
Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers49.2%
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Retailers47.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-5.5%
Annual Openings:4,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)35,100
Current
2034 (Projected)33,200
-5.5%
-1,900
Employment Change
-5.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Gem and Diamond Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
New York
4,750 jobs$50,8903.28x
California
2,700 jobs$59,1000.99x
Texas
1,780 jobs$46,9000.85x
Florida
1,160 jobs$56,4700.77x
Illinois
990 jobs$40,8101.07x
Washington
850 jobs$60,0301.58x
New Jersey
850 jobs$40,2601.32x
Rhode Island
620 jobs$47,3008.24x
Massachusetts
550 jobs$00.99x
Pennsylvania
530 jobs$50,1600.58x
Ohio
530 jobs$46,2000.63x
Utah
480 jobs$46,2001.86x
Tennessee
450 jobs$48,3300.91x
Michigan
440 jobs$49,9300.67x
North Carolina
430 jobs$48,2800.57x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
70%
#3
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.5
70%
Speaking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall75%
3 shared skills
Postal Service Mail Carriers75%
3 shared skills
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers75%
3 shared skills
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters75%
3 shared skills
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers75%
3 shared skills
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles67%
2 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Gem and Diamond Workers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Planning & Development (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Position stones and metal pieces, and set, mount, and secure items in place, using setting and hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Smooth soldered joints and rough spots, using hand files and emery paper, and polish smoothed areas with polishing wheels or buffing wire.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Create jewelry from materials such as gold, silver, platinum, and precious or semiprecious stones.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Make repairs, such as enlarging or reducing ring sizes, soldering pieces of jewelry together, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Clean and polish metal items and jewelry pieces, using jewelers' tools, polishing wheels, and chemical baths.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Cut and file pieces of jewelry such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Select and acquire metals and gems for designs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Compute costs of labor and materials to determine production costs of products and articles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Examine assembled or finished products to ensure conformance to specifications, using magnifying glasses or precision measuring instruments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Pierce and cut open designs in ornamentation, using hand drills and scroll saws.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Gem and Diamond Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Gem and Diamond Workers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Gem and Diamond Workers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.83
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.61
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.45
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.91
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.87
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.83
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Persistence
3.9
Independence
3.9
Cooperation
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Initiative
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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