# Potters, Manufacturing

> Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/potters-manufacturing
- SOC code: 51-9195.05
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $46,170 (10th percentile $35,850, 90th percentile $61,530)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.8%
- Openings a year: 5,100
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic".

## Interest profile (code RCA)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 99 |
| Investigative (I) | 11 |
| Artistic (A) | 19 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 3 |
| Conventional (C) | 45 |

## What you'd do

- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 84/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 78/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 76/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 73/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 68/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 65/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 60/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 59/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 59/100)
- Scheduling Work and Activities (importance 56/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving

## Knowledge

Fine Arts, Production and Processing, Design, Customer and Personal Service, Chemistry, Administration and Management, Sales and Marketing, Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Mechanical

## Also called

Clay Mixer, Glazer, Jigger Artisan, Jigger Machine Operator, Jiggerman, Kiln Worker, Manufacturing Potter, Pot Maker, Potter, Pottery and Porcelain Model Maker

## Related careers

- [Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/molders-shapers-and-casters-except-metal-and-plastic): $46,170 median pay
- [Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/jewelers-and-precious-stone-and-metal-workers): $52,540 median pay
- [Craft Artists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/craft-artists): $46,080 median pay
- [Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/painting-coating-and-decorating-workers): $41,600 median pay
- [Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/stone-cutters-and-carvers-manufacturing): $46,170 median pay
- [Etchers and Engravers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/etchers-and-engravers): $43,310 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.