How much does a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker make?
The median jeweler and precious stone and metal worker in the United States earns $52,540 per year, about $25.26 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all jewelers and precious stone and metal workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9071.
Jeweler and precious stone and metal worker salary range
Pay for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,580 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $87,540. The average (mean) wage of $57,960 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,580 | $17.11 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $39,520 | $19.00 | |
| Median (50th) | $52,540 | $25.26 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $69,810 | $33.56 | |
| 90th percentile | $87,540 | $42.09 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers (SOC 51-9071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Jeweler and precious stone and metal worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers earn the most in Connecticut at $69,800 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $35,950. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $69,800 | 140 |
| Virginia | $61,940 | 240 |
| New York | $61,720 | 4,300 |
| California | $60,790 | 2,300 |
| South Carolina | $60,380 | 200 |
| Washington | $60,380 | 290 |
| New Jersey | $59,480 | 780 |
| Vermont | $58,570 | 50 |
| Kansas | $57,730 | 110 |
| Colorado | $57,120 | 220 |
| North Dakota | $57,020 | 50 |
| Michigan | $56,610 | 460 |
| Missouri | $56,140 | 490 |
| Wisconsin | $55,830 | 280 |
| North Carolina | $55,420 | 770 |
| Mississippi | $55,010 | 40 |
| Illinois | $54,990 | 610 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,880 | 760 |
| Minnesota | $54,310 | 220 |
| Florida | $51,470 | 1,070 |
| Louisiana | $51,420 | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $51,060 | 830 |
| Iowa | $50,280 | 160 |
| Alabama | $48,890 | 110 |
| Rhode Island | $48,800 | 540 |
| Hawaii | $48,450 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $48,240 | 370 |
| Ohio | $48,190 | 430 |
| Maine | $48,080 | 50 |
| Georgia | $47,810 | 420 |
| Indiana | $47,620 | 380 |
| Texas | $47,590 | 1,810 |
| Idaho | $47,090 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $47,090 | 320 |
| Nebraska | $46,920 | 120 |
| West Virginia | $46,370 | 30 |
| New Mexico | $46,200 | 230 |
| Maryland | $45,430 | 80 |
| South Dakota | $45,110 | 90 |
| Oregon | $44,510 | 530 |
| New Hampshire | $43,520 | 170 |
| Arizona | $42,240 | 440 |
| Oklahoma | $41,720 | 180 |
| Nevada | $40,510 | 330 |
| Utah | $39,860 | 420 |
| Montana | $37,580 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $35,950 | 270 |
State median wages for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers (SOC 51-9071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
The BLS projects employment of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 32,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 31,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,700 openings a year for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker
The typical entry-level education for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Connecticut, $69,800) and the lowest (Arkansas, $35,950) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 22,440 people work as jewelers and precious stone and metal workers in the United States. At $52,540 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Jeweler and precious stone and metal worker salary FAQ
How much does a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker is $25.26. The middle half of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers earn between $19.00 and $33.56 per hour.
What is the highest jeweler and precious stone and metal worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers earn more than $87,540 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker is $52,540. The average (mean) wage of $57,960 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker a well paid job?
At $52,540 a year, a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 22,440 people work as jewelers and precious stone and metal workers in the United States.
Which state pays jewelers and precious stone and metal workers the most?
Connecticut has the highest median salary for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers at $69,800 a year. Virginia ($61,940) and New York ($61,720) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker a good career?
Employment of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is projected to shrink 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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