Bench jewelers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Bench jewelers, also known as metalsmiths, silversmiths, goldsmiths, and platinumsmiths, are the most common type of jewelers. They possess a wide array of skills. They usually do tasks ranging from simple jewelry cleaning and repair to making molds and pieces from scratch. Some specialize in particular tasks such as repairs, hand engraving, stringing, wax carving/model making, enameling, stone cutting, soldering, stone setting, and hand building.
- Education Required
- Although most jewelers and precious stone and metal workers have a high school diploma, many trade schools offer courses for workers who seek additional education. Course topics can include introduction to gems and metals, resizing, repair, and computer-aided design (CAD). Programs vary from 3 months to 1 year, and many teach students how to design, cast, set, and polish jewelry and gems, as well as how to use and care for a jewelers tools and equipment. Graduates of these programs may be more attractive to employers because they require less on-the-job training. Many gemologists graduate from the Gemological Institute of America. Trade programs usually require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Training Required
- Many jewelers learn and develop their skills on the job. The length of training required to become proficient depends on the difficulty of the specialty, but often lasts at least a year. Training usually focuses on casting, setting stones, making models, or engraving.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: -3% (Decline)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- In manufacturing, some jewelers advance to supervisory jobs, such as master jeweler or head jeweler. Jewelers who work in jewelry stores or repair shops may become managers.
- Median pay: How much do Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers make?
- $38,200 Annual Salary
- $18.37 per hour
Careers for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
- Appraisers, jewelry
- Diamond graders
- Diamond polishers
- Diamond setters
- Engravers
- Facetors
- Gem cutters
- Gemologists
- Goldsmiths
- Jewelry appraisers
- Jewelry designers
- Jewelry repairers
- Jewelsmiths
- Lapidarists
- Mold and model makers
- Pewterers
- Polishers
- Precious stone and metal workers
- Production jewelers
- Silversmiths