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Precious Metal Worker

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What is a Precious Metal Worker?

Occupation Description Cast, anneal, solder, hammer, or shape gold, silver, pewter or other metals to form jewelry or other metal items such as goblets or candlesticks.

List of Precious Metal Worker Job Duties

  • Examine articles to determine the nature of defects requiring repair, such as dents, uneven bottoms, scratches, or holes.
  • Weigh and mix alloy ingredients, using formulas and knowledge of ingredients’ chemical properties.
  • Assemble molds, wrap molds in heat-resistant cloth, and ladle molten alloy into mold openings, repeating casting processes as necessary to produce specified numbers of parts.
  • Carry castings or finished items to storage areas or to different work stations.
  • Trim gates and sharp points from cast parts, using band saws.
  • Form concavities in bottoms of articles to improve stability, using tracing punches and hammers.

Precious Metal Worker Required Skills

These are the skills Precious Metal Workers say are the most useful in their careers:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Other Precious Metal Worker Job Titles

  • Polisher
  • Caster
  • Platinumsmith
  • Bench Jeweler
  • Stone Setter

Job Outlook for Precious Metal Workers

There were about 37,700 jobs for Precious Metal Worker in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Precious Metal Worker. The BLS estimates 3,500 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Precious Metal Worker are Idaho, South Carolina, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Tennessee, New Mexico, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Precious Metal Workers Salary

Precious Metal Workers make between $23,530 and $67,250 a year.

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Precious Metal Workers who work in Kentucky, New Jersey, or Wisconsin, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Precious Metal Workers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $41,320
Alaska $33,520
Arizona $45,860
Arkansas $43,880
California $40,940
Colorado $42,490
Connecticut $54,280
Delaware $46,690
Florida $41,300
Georgia $36,350
Hawaii $37,560
Idaho $42,040
Illinois $39,030
Indiana $41,220
Iowa $44,390
Kansas $44,200
Kentucky $55,840
Louisiana $36,820
Maine $43,950
Maryland $51,920
Massachusetts $44,480
Michigan $40,580
Minnesota $39,590
Mississippi $27,820
Missouri $38,330
Montana $34,950
Nebraska $30,680
Nevada $46,200
New Hampshire $48,280
New Jersey $54,870
New Mexico $30,480
New York $50,380
North Carolina $40,420
North Dakota $52,090
Ohio $38,180
Oklahoma $41,100
Oregon $52,580
Pennsylvania $42,670
Rhode Island $43,710
South Carolina $40,270
South Dakota $37,330
Tennessee $46,740
Texas $41,450
Utah $36,900
Vermont $40,010
Virginia $48,330
Washington $39,540
West Virginia $39,120
Wisconsin $52,050

Tools & Technologies Used by Precious Metal Workers

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Precious Metal Workers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator

Becoming a Precious Metal Worker

What education is needed to be a Precious Metal Worker?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Precious Metal Worker?

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Precious Metal Workers Sector

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The table below shows the approximate number of Precious Metal Workers employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: Jorge Royan via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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