"How long does it take to become a jewelry designer in West Virginia?"

"Most paths into the jewelry designer field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"What apprenticeships are available for jewelry designers in West Virginia?"

"In West Virginia, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Jewelry Designer in West Virginia

Q: "How much do jewelry designers earn in West Virginia?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), jewelry designers in West Virginia earned a median annual wage of approximately $46,370. Employment concentration in West Virginia is roughly 0.31 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for jewelry designers in West Virginia?"

"West Virginia currently employs approximately 30 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -5.5% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

West Virginia jewelers and precious stone and metal workers earn a median annual wage of $46,370 ($22.29/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 30 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -11.7% below the national median of $52,540 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $46,370 ($22.29/hr)
25th percentile: $34,490 per year
75th percentile: $48,540 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $56,380 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $29,650 per year
Workers employed in West Virginia: 30
Versus national median: -11.7% below the U.S. median of $52,540
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.31 - this occupation is less concentrated in West Virginia than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

West Virginia employs approximately 30 jewelry designers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,370 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 West Virginia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Jewelry Designer in West Virginia

How do I become a jewelry designer in West Virginia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for jewelry designers in West Virginia.

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 West Virginia? The median annual wage for jewelry designers in West Virginia is $46,370 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,650 and experienced professionals can earn $56,380 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 (West Virginia): $46,370 per year ¹

Jewelry Designer Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), jewelers and precious stone and metal workers wages in West Virginia vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	110	$65,370	$68,280	$38,700	$100,570

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.

Explore More Trades in West Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for jewelry designers in West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 30 jewelry designers ¹. Nationally, jewelry designer employment is projected to grow -5.5% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in West Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in West Virginia.

How much do jewelry designers earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for jewelry designers in West Virginia is $46,370, which is $2,770 below 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)