Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers

SOC code 51-9071 · O*NET-SOC 51-9071.00 · Medium preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$52,540

a year

Hourly

$25.26

per hour

10th$35,580Median$52,54090th$87,540

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$57,960

$27.87 per hour

Middle 50%

$39,520 – $69,810

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$35,580 – $87,540

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

22,440

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $35,580; $17.11/hr
25th percentile: $39,520; $19.00/hr
Median percentile: $52,540; $25.26/hr
75th percentile: $69,810; $33.56/hr
90th percentile: $87,540; $42.09/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

-5%

Declining

35,100

jobs in 2024

33,200

projected for 2034

About 1,900 fewer jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What do jewelers and precious stone and metal workers do?

Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Clean and polish metal items and jewelry pieces, using jewelers' tools, polishing wheels, and chemical baths.
Smooth soldered joints and rough spots, using hand files and emery paper, and polish smoothed areas with polishing wheels or buffing wire.
Create jewelry from materials such as gold, silver, platinum, and precious or semiprecious stones.
Cut and file pieces of jewelry such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets.
Examine assembled or finished products to ensure conformance to specifications, using magnifying glasses or precision measuring instruments.
Make repairs, such as enlarging or reducing ring sizes, soldering pieces of jewelry together, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.
Compute costs of labor and materials to determine production costs of products and articles.
Position stones and metal pieces, and set, mount, and secure items in place, using setting and hand tools.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 25% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed

Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

See all zone 3 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)25%
Post-Secondary Certificate21%
Some College Courses19%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree17%

Common questions

How much does a jewelers and precious stone and metal workers earn?

The national median is $52,540 a year. The full range runs from $35,580 at the 10th percentile to $87,540 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a jewelers and precious stone and metal workers without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Is jewelers and precious stone and metal workers in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.1/5
Speaking3.0/5
Critical Thinking3.0/5
Reading Comprehension2.8/5
Monitoring2.8/5

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
Design4.0/5
Production and Processing3.9/5
Sales and Marketing3.8/5
Administration and Management3.7/5
Mechanical3.4/5
Administrative3.2/5
Engineering and Technology3.2/5

Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving.