Surveys

Want Insight Into Industry Salaries? Check Out This Careers Guide

SurveysFeb 29, 2024

Want Insight Into Industry Salaries? Check Out This Careers Guide

From bench jewelers to appraisers, Jewelers of America’s updated guide shares an overview of how much industry employees are being paid.

Stock image of woman on laptop with charts
Jewelers of America’s new “Careers in the Jewelry Industry” guide is available online and in print.
New York—Jewelers of America has updated its career guide for the jewelry industry for the first time in a decade.

The new “Careers in the Jewelry Industry” guide, available online and as a full-color booklet to all members of the jewelry industry, was designed as a tool to attract new talent to the industry.

This is the third edition of the guide.

The online version also contains the results of JA’s salary study, conducted anonymously last spring.

The results can be found under “Career Pathways” or in the “Skills Spotlight” section of the website.

For the study, the organization asked company owners, managers, and HR professionals to securely provide information on salary basics, commission structures and benefits, work environment information, and education and experience-level requirements.

Using responses from the 217 participants, the study compiled enough data to obtain salary information for 17 positions, including bench jeweler, appraiser, sales professional, and executive-level roles.

The results share salary information for those in the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles, as well as information about commission and bonuses, where applicable.

For example, the study found that a sales manager has a median total compensation of $85,300 while a bench jeweler has a median total compensation of $62,000.

It also compares averages for the various roles to the national average using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The study results also share insights into the respondents, like where their stores are located and how many employees they have.

The majority of the participants had one store or sales location with a median of eight full-time employees. Eighty-five percent of respondents identified as a “small business.”

Those interested in learning more can download an overview of the study by Nan Lung Palmer of Facets Jewelry Consulting here. 

Palmer’s overview shares her insights into compensation and benefits for various roles within the jewelry industry.

 Related stories will be right here … 

Aside from the salary study, the updated guide highlights career opportunities and shares information on the skills that are currently the most sought-after in the jewelry industry.

“The industry has changed so much during the last decade, and it was important that the guide reflects the jewelry industry as it is today,” said Susan Thea Posnock, JA’s director of public affairs and education.

“From the sleek new design of the booklet to the comprehensive and easy-to-navigate Jewelry Careers center online, the updates shine a light on exciting opportunities for job seekers, whether they are just out of school or looking to change careers.”

The guide, now in its third edition, outlines 12 career paths, including new sections on marketing, jewelry executives, and entrepreneurs, as well as information about sales and management careers on the retail and supplier sides of the industry.

The new “Skills Spotlights” section delves into which areas of knowledge are important to have, such as skills in technology and finance, and can open new doors career wise.

The guide also includes profiles of jewelry professionals, sharing how their careers began and the impact the industry has had on their lives.

The printed booklet has been shared with jewelry programs across the United States, said JA, while the “Jewelry Careers” online platform has been sent to career centers.

To access the online Jewelry Careers Guide, visit the JA website. 

To request copies of the booklet, email Susan Thea Posnock at sposnock@jewelers.org.

The Latest

Kylie Jenner Fantasy Bra Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The Numbers

Jacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.

Mignon Faget Atelier Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AI

The “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.

 Rio Grande engagement ring and band
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform Zola

The pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.

lab channel btyb 0926.png
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.

Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.

The Secret Gems Thailand
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand

"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.

Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
John Hardy Modern Talisman Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection

The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.

Collage of independent jewelers celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2026
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026

Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

Christina Puchi Gemstone Earrings
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the Universe

Our Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.

Reeds Jewelers Fayetteville
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates Flagship

The New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.

Graff USA Executive Vice President Katy Chen
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA

Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.

Elise & Amy Greenberg
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg

For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.

The Retail Smiths Principal Partner Peter Smith
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?

It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.

Stephanie Gottlieb Movado watches
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist Stack

Movado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.

Polished diamond in tweezers
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report Says

The two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.

Wolf x Marla Aaron Some of the Things Box
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your Things

The “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.

Coleman Clark and Mitchell Clark
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell Clark

Fourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.

Manual Marcial de Gomar
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90

The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.

Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud at South Coast Plaza
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3

Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”

Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference 2026 Graphic
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 Program

This year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.

Lugano Diamonds Greenwich Connecticut store
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano Jewelry

The high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.

Stephanie Gottlieb Wholesale Lab-Grown Collection
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection Wholesale

The jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.

Sean Dunn
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean Dunn

Dunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.

Bulgari pink diamond
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' Diamond

The 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.

Greenwich St. Jewelers Island Jewel candle
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like Home

The “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.

TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner

The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.

Elisa Solomon x Serendipity 3 Frozen Hot Chocolate Charm
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ Charm

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy