About This Career Path
Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.
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.
Manufacturing Industry
Potters, Manufacturing
Average
$40,280
ANNUAL
$19.37
HOURLY
Entry Level
$29,660
ANNUAL
$14.26
HOURLY
Mid Level
$38,880
ANNUAL
$18.69
HOURLY
Expert Level
$48,810
ANNUAL
$23.46
HOURLY
Potters, Manufacturing
1,270
Projected job openings through 2030
Potters, Manufacturing
Supporting Certifications
Degree Recommendations
Potters, Manufacturing
01
Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
02
Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns.
03
Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
04
Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
05
Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
06
Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
07
Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
08
Attach handles to pottery pieces.
09
Press thumbs into centers of revolving clay to form hollows, and press on the inside and outside of emerging clay cylinders with hands and fingers, gradually raising and shaping clay to desired forms and sizes.
10
Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.
Potters, Manufacturing
Common knowledge, skills & abilities needed to get a foot in the door.
KNOWLEDGE
Fine Arts
KNOWLEDGE
Production and Processing
KNOWLEDGE
Design
KNOWLEDGE
Customer and Personal Service
KNOWLEDGE
Chemistry
SKILL
Operations Monitoring
SKILL
Operation and Control
SKILL
Active Listening
SKILL
Critical Thinking
SKILL
Monitoring
ABILITY
Arm-Hand Steadiness
ABILITY
Finger Dexterity
ABILITY
Manual Dexterity
ABILITY
Control Precision
ABILITY
Near Vision
Manufacturing
Not sure where to begin?
Career Exploration