Gem and Diamond Workers
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
Median pay: $52,540/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -5.5% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 4,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Examine gems during processing to ensure accuracy of angles and positions of cuts or bores, using magnifying glasses, loupes, or shadowgraphs.
• Assign polish, symmetry, and clarity grades to stones, according to established grading systems.
• Estimate wholesale and retail value of gems, following pricing guides, market fluctuations, and other relevant economic factors.
• Examine gem surfaces and internal structures, using polariscopes, refractometers, microscopes, and other optical instruments, to differentiate between stones, to identify rare specimens, or to detect flaws, defects, or peculiarities affecting gem values.
• Identify and document stones' clarity characteristics, using plot diagrams.
• Advise customers and others on the best use of gems to create attractive jewelry items.
What's the median pay for Gem and Diamond Workers?
The median pay for Gem and Diamond Workers is $52,540 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Gem and Diamond Workers?
Employment for Gem and Diamond Workers is projected to change -5.5% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Gem and Diamond Workers?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Gem and Diamond Workers?
About 4,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.