Potters, Manufacturing
SOC code 51-9195 · O*NET-SOC 51-9195.05 · Medium preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Potters, Manufacturing pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$46,170
a year
Hourly
$22.20
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$47,500
$22.84 per hour
Middle 50%
$39,280 – $53,000
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$35,850 – $61,530
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
33,190
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $35,850
- $17.24/hr
- 25th percentile
- $39,280
- $18.88/hr
- Median percentile
- $46,170
- $22.20/hr
- 75th percentile
- $53,000
- $25.48/hr
- 90th percentile
- $61,530
- $29.58/hr
What do potters, manufacturing do?
Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
- Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.
- Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns.
- Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
- Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
- Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
- Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
- Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold some college courses — 31% 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.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Some College Courses31%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)30%
- Bachelor's Degree18%
- Less than a High School Diploma16%
Common questions
How much does a potters, manufacturing earn?
The national median is $46,170 a year. The full range runs from $35,850 at the 10th percentile to $61,530 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 potters, manufacturing 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.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
- Speaking2.9/5
- Reading Comprehension2.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Fine Arts4.0/5
- Production and Processing3.9/5
- Design3.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Chemistry3.2/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
- Sales and Marketing3.1/5
- Engineering and Technology3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Social Perceptiveness, Quality Control Analysis, Coordination.