Designs rings, necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry, creating sketches and 3D models that become finished pieces. BLS does not publish separate figures for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers; it counts them within jeweler and precious stone and metal worker (SOC 51-9071), whose median pay is $52,540 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-9071
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Jewelry Designer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $52,540a year, or $25.26/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $88K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -3.2%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−3.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −3.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,70032,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202532.8K
- Projected 203531.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 32.8K Projected 2035 31.8K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school25.3%
- Certificate21.4%
- Some college19.5%
- Associate's16.5%
- Bachelor's8.8%
- Post-bacc certificate6.9%
Highest education held by jewelers and precious stone and metal workers Segment Value High school 25.3% Certificate 21.4% Some college 19.5% Associate's 16.5% Bachelor's 8.8% Post-bacc certificate 6.9%
Also advertised as: Fine Jewelry Designer, CAD Jewelry Designer, Bench Jeweler and Designer, Jewelry Product Designer, Custom Jewelry Designer.
Pay
How much do Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers make?
Every jewelry designer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$52,540
Middle half earn $39,520 to $69,810
- 10th
- $35,580
- 25th
- $39,520
- 75th
- $69,810
- 90th
- $87,540
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,580 |
| 25th | $39,520 |
| Median | $52,540 |
| 75th | $69,810 |
| 90th | $87,540 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $52,540
- Median hourly wage
- $25.26/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $57,960
- People employed
- 22,440
Versus all US occupations
At $52,540, Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers earn 3% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $1,560 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 9% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $87,540 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,580, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 25% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Connecticut pays the most at $69,800, and still leads at $67,368 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Connecticut | $69,800 | $67,368 | 140 |
| 2Virginia | $61,940 | $61,264 | 240 |
| 3New York | $61,720 | $57,190 | 4,300 |
| 4California | $60,790 | $54,904 | 2,300 |
| 5South Carolina | $60,380 | $64,406 | 200 |
| 6Washington | $60,380 | $56,423 | 290 |
| 7New Jersey | $59,480 | $54,667 | 780 |
| 8Vermont | $58,570 | $59,791 | 50 |
| 9Kansas | $57,730 | $64,096 | 110 |
| 10Colorado | $57,120 | $55,428 | 220 |
Job outlook
Is Jewelry Designer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -3.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | −3.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers to change -3.2% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 1,100 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,700 openings are projected each year, 11.3% of the 32,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Jewelry Designer
Many jewelry designers study jewelry and metals or accessories design, such as the Jewelry Design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) offers jewelry design and CAD courses, and gemology training through GIA helps designers who work with diamonds and colored stones. Bench skills such as fabrication, stone setting, and casting are valuable even for designers who mostly work digitally.
Common entry points include CAD designer or design assistant jobs at manufacturers and retailers, apprenticeships with custom jewelers, and building an independent line through craft shows and online shops.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as jewelers and precious stone and metal workers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)25.3%
- Post-Secondary Certificate21.4%
- Some College Courses19.5%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree16.5%
- Bachelor's Degree8.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 25.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 21.4% |
| Some College Courses | 19.5% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 16.5% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 8.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Jewelry Designer do?
A jewelry designer creates jewelry for brands, retailers, or their own label. They sketch concepts, select metals and gemstones, and work out how a piece will be built and worn. Many now design in computer-aided design software, producing 3D models that are printed in wax or resin and cast in metal.
Designers at manufacturers create seasonal collections and work with production teams on cost and manufacturability. Custom designers meet with clients to design engagement rings and one-of-a-kind pieces, presenting renderings for approval. Independent designers often make pieces themselves at the bench, sell at shows and online, and manage their own small business.
Day-to-day tasks
- Sketch jewelry concepts and collections
- Create 3D models in jewelry CAD software
- Select metals and gemstones for designs
- Meet with custom clients and present renderings
- Work with production teams on cost and manufacturability
- Fabricate, set stones, or finish pieces at the bench
- Sell collections at trade shows and online
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Jewelry designers work in design studios, jewelry manufacturers, retail stores with custom departments, or their own home studios. Work involves close detail at a computer or bench. Independent designers travel to trade shows and craft fairs, and income can vary with sales.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Monitoring2.8
- Writing2.5
- Active Learning2.4
- Learning Strategies2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Monitoring | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.5 |
| Active Learning | 2.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Coordination2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Service Orientation2.6
- Complex Problem Solving2.6
- Time Management2.6
- Instructing2.5
- Persuasion2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Service Orientation | 2.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.6 |
| Time Management | 2.6 |
| Instructing | 2.5 |
| Persuasion | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Internet browser software
- Inventory management software
- Point of sale POS software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Jewelry Designer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code ARE) built on O*NET's Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Jewelry Designer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 5 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules.
- Realistic6.6
- Artistic4.6
- Conventional3.4
- Enterprising2.7
- Investigative2.6
- Social1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Jewelry Designer
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker
$52,540median a year
Most earn $36K to $88K
−3.2%High school - Production
- Production
- Production
Grinding and Polishing Worker, Hand
$42,660median a year
Most earn $33K to $61K
−19.2%No formal credential - Production
Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic
$46,170median a year
Most earn $36K to $62K
+5.8%High school - Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
More production careers
Median annual pay, with jewelers and precious stone and metal workers highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Jewelry Designer$52,540
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Jewelry Designer | $52,540 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Jewelry Designer appears on
Questions
Jewelry Designer: frequently asked questions
How much do Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers. It counts them within jeweler and precious stone and metal worker, whose median pay is $52,540 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $39,520 and $69,810, and the top 10% earn $87,540 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Jewelry Designer?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 25.3% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Jewelry Designer a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 3.2% over 2025–2035, a loss of 1,100 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Jewelry Designer do?
A jewelry designer creates jewelry for brands, retailers, or their own label. A typical task: sketch jewelry concepts and collections. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Electronic mail software, Graphics or photo imaging software.
Which states pay Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers the most?
The highest state medians for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers are Connecticut ($69,800), Virginia ($61,940), New York ($61,720) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Jewelry Designer?
O*NET scores Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers highest on the Realistic, Artistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTP, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.