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Jeweler: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$52,540median pay per year, or $25.26 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $35,580lowest 10% earn less
  2. $39,52025th percentile
  3. $52,540median
  4. $69,81075th percentile
  5. $87,540top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers was $52,540 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to decline 3.2% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-3.2%[2]
Openings per year
3,700[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do jewelers make?

BLS counts jewelers in the category Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers.

The median pay was $52,540 a year, or $25.26 an hour[1]. Half of the workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $57,960 a year, or $27.87 an hour[7]. For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[4].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,580 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $87,540[3]. Hourly, those two lines were $17.11 and $42.09[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][8] $35,580 $17.11
25th[3][8] $39,520 $19.00
Median[1] $52,540 $25.26
75th[3][8] $69,810 $33.56
90th[3][8] $87,540 $42.09

These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[10]. About 22,440 people held these wage and salary jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Connecticut had the highest median wage at $69,800, followed by Virginia at $61,940 and New York at $61,720[12]. Arkansas had the lowest listed median at $35,950[12].

New York had the most jobs at 4,300, then California at 2,300 and Texas at 1,810[13]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest median at $75,640, followed by the Washington, DC area at $65,370[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 4,440, with a median of $61,360[15].

Show median pay in 47 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Connecticut[12]$69,800140
Virginia$61,940240
New York$61,7204,300
California$60,7902,300
South Carolina$60,380200
Washington$60,380290
New Jersey$59,480780
Vermont$58,57050
Kansas$57,730110
Colorado$57,120220
North Dakota$57,02050
Michigan$56,610460
Missouri$56,140490
Wisconsin$55,830280
North Carolina$55,420770
Mississippi$55,01040
Illinois$54,990610
Pennsylvania$54,880760
Minnesota$54,310220
Florida$51,4701,070
Louisiana$51,420280
Massachusetts$51,060830
Iowa$50,280160
Alabama$48,890110
Rhode Island$48,800540
Hawaii$48,450170
Tennessee$48,240370
Ohio$48,190430
Maine$48,08050
Georgia$47,810420
Indiana$47,620380
Texas$47,5901,810
Idaho$47,090130
Kentucky$47,090320
Nebraska$46,920120
West Virginia$46,37030
New Mexico$46,200230
Maryland$45,43080
South Dakota$45,11090
Oregon$44,510530
New Hampshire$43,520170
Arizona$42,240440
Oklahoma$41,720180
Nevada$40,510330
Utah$39,860420
Montana$37,58080
Arkansas$35,950270

How to become a jeweler

No related work experience is typical[6]. Professional certification is usually optional, and it can show expertise in an area such as gemology[21].

In an O*NET survey of 22 workers, 25% said a high school diploma is required, 21% a post-secondary certificate and 19% some college courses[22]. Careers can lead to roles such as master jeweler or head jeweler, and store or repair shop workers may become managers[23].

What jewelers do

O*NET describes the work as designing, making, adjusting, repairing or appraising jewelry and gems[24]. Common tasks include:

Where they work

Much of a jeweler's time goes to sitting at a bench or standing where the polishing is done[26]. The work can involve fumes and harsh chemicals, and tools such as torches or lasers must be handled with care[27]. Workers sometimes wear goggles, masks or gloves[27]. Because the materials are valuable, security steps such as burglar alarms are used[28].

Some workers, especially the self-employed, may work from home, sell online or travel to trade and craft shows[28]. In 2025, 32.4% were self-employed[29]. The largest employer group was jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers, at 35%[30].

Most work full time, and schedules may vary[31]. Self-employed workers may sell at weekend shows, and retail workers may work evenings, weekends or holidays[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to fall 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 32,800 to 31,800 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[33]. These counts include the self-employed[2].

Even so, about 3,700 openings are projected each year[5]. Openings come from retirements and job changes as well as new jobs[5]. Each year, 6.6% of workers leave the labor force and 5.1% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a hands-on craft. A high school diploma is typical, and training on the job is long-term[6]. Pay at the middle is a little above the all-occupations median[1][4], and the range is wide[3]. Employment is projected to shrink while overall employment grows[2][33], though openings still occur each year[5]. The work calls for fine finger control and close attention to detail[35][36].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a jeweler make a year?
The median was $52,540 a year, or $25.26 an hour, in May 2025[1].
How long does it take to become a jeweler?
Training depends on the specialty and often lasts a year or longer[17]. BLS lists long-term on-the-job training as typical[6].
What education do you need to be a jeweler?
A high school diploma or equivalent is typical[6]. Some workers do an apprenticeship or trade school program[38].
Is jewelry work in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% growth for all occupations[2][33]. About 3,700 openings are projected each year[5].
Which state pays jewelers the most?
Connecticut had the highest median at $69,800[12]. Virginia was next at $61,940[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers in the US was $52,540 per year and $25.26 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers is projected to decline 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 32,800 to 31,800 jobs (a change of -1,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers: 10th percentile $35,580, 25th percentile $39,520, 75th percentile $69,810, 90th percentile $87,540. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,700 openings for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers was $57,960 per year and $27.87 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers: 10th percentile $17.11, 25th percentile $19.00, 75th percentile $33.56, 90th percentile $42.09. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 22,440 people were employed as Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers jobs: New York 4,300; California 2,300; Texas 1,810; Florida 1,070; Massachusetts 830. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,640; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $65,370; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $64,620; Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $62,400; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $61,360; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $61,150; Raleigh-Cary, NC $61,000; Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $60,440. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 4,440 (median $61,360); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,190 (median $61,150); Providence-Warwick, RI-MA 710 (median $48,800); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 520 (median $52,570); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 520 (median $48,250); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 460 (median $54,990). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 51-9071.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 25%, Post-Secondary Certificate 21%, Some College Courses 19%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 16%, Bachelor's Degree 9%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Employment Projections: 32.4% of Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers in 2025: Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods retailers 35%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers: 6.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
  38. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.