Why We Love It
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$42,380Potential Avg. Salary
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-11.3%Job Growth Rate
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Creativity FocusedCareer Attribute
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Deal MakingCareer Attribute
Goldsmiths are professionals with a good understanding of the jewelry industry, that work with gold as well as other precious metals or gemstones.
Recommended Schools
What is a Goldsmith?
Duties
The duties of a goldsmith are numerous and can include the following tasks:
- Make repairs, create wax models of, and fabricate a wide range of jewelry pieces like pendants, lockets, rings, brooches and bracelets.
- Adhere to all applicable safety and health regulations pertaining to ergonomics, quality control, protective gear, hazardous materials handling or disposal, etc.
- Proactively coordinate with co-workers and share foundation knowledge with other staff, managers and administration towards solving problems and optimizing processes.
Day In The Life
As a goldsmith, you can look forward to working indoors most of the day in an office or warehouse environment. You will be engaged with designing and creating gold jewelry based on company guidelines, utilizing semi-precious and precious stones.
This type of work requires you to frequently handle various tools for cutting, hammering, bending, spinning, filing and casting gold as well as other metals. In addition, you will focus on securing stones and crafting engravings on jewelry with the purpose of finishing repairs on existing pieces or selling innovative and attractive new items to the public. Sometimes, a goldsmith can engage in private commissions for mass production or a special collection for additional source of income as well as an outlet for creativity.
Work Schedule
Typically, a goldsmith works up to 40 hours in a week, between Monday to Friday in standard air-conditioned spaces. Depending on upcoming deadlines for projects, you may have to work extended periods of time including over the weekend. If you are working independently, hours will be flexible and depend on how much workload you can manage.
Working at a jewelry store means more regular hours, usually business timings, where employees can find jobs full-time or part-time. In case you have extensive experience in the industry, your talents will be in high demand and employment opportunities will tend to be full-time.
Growth Of The Job
There is a growing need for uniquely talented goldsmiths since there are many individuals that look for specialized expertise regarding repair and alteration services. If you are a bench jeweler, you will be in greater demand than those working as designers, since repairs are more cost-effective than replacing items. There is a high level of competition for these types of roles, and people that graduate from professional schools or trade institutes are at an advantage, compared to those having learnt by experience.
Typical Employers
Goldsmiths can find employment opportunities wherever there are jewelry services in demand. This can include working at large wholesale retailers, design jewelry studios or shops, private offices, etc. Many goldsmiths take up jobs at stores that provide a combination of luggage, leather products and jewelry ranges. You can also choose to be self-employed or have freelance projects which sometimes involves collaborating with other sellers, buyers, designers, assistants, etc.
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How To Become a Goldsmith
In order to pursue a career path as a goldsmith, you can either complete formal education and acquire these credentials or pursue on the job experience. You can easily take up a diploma program or gain a trade certificate based on the opportunities available. The minimum educational qualification expected from a worker is that of a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
If you decide to join a trade school program, the course will extend between 6 months to 1 year and include coursework in metals, resizing, casting, cutting, setting, gemology, etc. Those who search for applied experience in the occupation have the option to shadow more seasoned professionals and learn from them face-to-face.
In addition, you can take a look at pre-apprenticeship courses via community colleges, since this is a great way to expand networks and find more options for a suitable apprenticeship once the course is over. It is recommended that one masters a solid foundation in concepts required of the trade, before focusing on acquiring the best possible apprenticeship. It is a long process that lasts four to five years and may not always guarantee a great job on its own.
Goldsmith Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$27,400Average
$42,380High Range
$67,210National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$13/hrAverage
$20/hrHigh Range
$32/hrHow do Goldsmith salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Goldsmith's can make an average annual salary of $42,380, or $20 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $27,400 or $13 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#487 Nationally for All Careers
Highest Education Among Goldsmiths
- 0.2% Doctorate
- 2% Masters
- 14.5% Bachelors
- 8.5% Associates
- 27.4% College
- 31.8% High School
- 15.7% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
39,8002024 Est. Jobs
35,300Job Growth Rate
-11.3%Est. New Jobs
-4,500How does Goldsmith job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of -4,500 jobs for a total of 35,300 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a -11.3% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#752 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Goldsmiths
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 16,500 | -1,600 | -2% |
| Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores | 10,300 | -1,300 | -1% |
| Jewelry and silverware manufacturing | 6,200 | -2,500 | -3% |
