How to Become a Jewelry Designer in Washington (2026)
Washington employs about 290 jewelry designers earning a median $60,380 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Jewelry Designer here means completing a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role.
Compare Jewelry Designer Schools in Washington
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Folsom Lake College | 57.6 | $1,288 in-state / $12,616 out-of-state | $58,876 | 44% | Yes* | 581 mi |
| 2 | Flathead Valley Community College | 54.5 | $4,912 in-state / $11,659 out-of-state | $47,642 | 29% | Yes* | 328 mi |
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| 3 | North Seattle College | 48.3 | $5,238 in-state / $5,796 out-of-state | $70,090 | 33% | — | 70 mi |
| 4 | Monterey Peninsula College | 34.5 | $1,188 in-state / $10,572 out-of-state | Not reported | 40% | — | 725 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Washington employs approximately 290 jewelry designers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,380 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 Washington, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: short course, certificate, or self-directed portfolio work (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role
- Median wage (Washington): $60,380 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Jewelry Designer in Washington
How to become a Jewelry Designer in Washington? Complete a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a short course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license this role. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Washington? Licensing varies. See the licensing section below for the Washington path.
What do jewelry designers earn in Washington? The median annual wage for jewelry designers in Washington is $60,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,210 and experienced professionals can earn $116,020 or more 1.
How to Become a Jewelry Designer in Washington
- Build skills and a portfolio. Complete a short course or certificate if you want structured training, then assemble a portfolio. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Optional industry credentials. Tool or association credentials can help hiring. They are not a state occupational license.
- Most states do not license this role. Do not apply to a licensing board. Confirm employer expectations, not a state credential that does not exist.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Jewelry Designer License Requirements in Washington
Most states do not license this role. The path is a portfolio and a short course or certificate, not a licensing board.
Typical path
Build skills through a short course, certificate, or OJT.
Assemble a portfolio.
Do not apply to a licensing board for this role.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Jewelry Designer Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), jewelers and precious stone and metal workers wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 300 | $46,350 | $57,810 | $42,950 | $91,520 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 200 | $60,420 | $69,000 | $44,050 | $116,020 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 110 | $65,370 | $68,280 | $38,700 | $100,570 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 40 | $54,610 | $57,610 | $41,160 | $69,170 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for jewelry designers in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 290 jewelry designers 1. Nationally, jewelry designer employment is projected to grow -5.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Washington.
How much do jewelry designers earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for jewelry designers in Washington is $60,380, which is $11,240 above the national median of $49,140 according to BLS data 1.
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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) |