Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
SOC: 51-9071 O*NET: 51-9071.00
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
Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.
What does a Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal 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 Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal 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 Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal 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 Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal 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?
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers professionals typically have a RAC Holland code and highly value working conditions
RRealistic
AArtistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.89
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.83
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.46
Innovation
Very ImportantInnovation
Importance Level4.41
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.27
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.24
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.5
Innovation
4.4
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Persistence
4.2
Initiative
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
Analytical Thinking
3.9
💡 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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