How to Become A Jewelry Designer in California
California employs approximately 2,300 jewelry designers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,790 1. Nationally, jewelry designer employment is projected to grow -5.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a jewelry designer in California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Jewelry Designer in California
How do I become a jewelry designer in California? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for jewelry designers in California.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do jewelry designers earn in California? The median annual wage for jewelry designers in California is $60,790 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,180 and experienced professionals can earn $81,660 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (California): $60,790 per year 1
Jewelry Designer Wages by Metro Area in California
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), jewelers and precious stone and metal workers wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 1,190 | $61,150 | $61,790 | $42,990 | $81,280 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 260 | $64,620 | $67,870 | $47,090 | $81,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 240 | $75,640 | $73,400 | $45,760 | $100,000 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 150 | $38,880 | $49,080 | $35,980 | $78,100 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 70 | $64,740 | $69,250 | $43,460 | $99,460 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 50 | $58,390 | $57,570 | $36,720 | $80,000 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 50 | $62,450 | $62,060 | $40,120 | $81,090 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Jewelry designers in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest jewelry designer employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 1,190 | $61,150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 260 | $64,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 240 | $75,640 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 150 | $38,880 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 70 | $64,740 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for jewelry designers in California? California currently employs approximately 2,300 jewelry designers 1. Nationally, jewelry designer employment is projected to grow -5.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California.
How much do jewelry designers earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for jewelry designers in California is $60,790, which is $11,650 above the national median of $49,140 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |