Potter

Your Fit

Income

$46K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

2.4%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Potter?

A Potter is a skilled artisan who shapes and creates functional and decorative items such as vases, dishes, and art pieces from clay. This profession combines artistic talent with hands-on crafting skills.

Sample job titles:

Glazer, Jiggerman, Potter, Production Potter

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Potter.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Potter earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$35K per year	$38K per year	$46K per year	$51K per year	$61K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $3.81K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Potter do?

Work environment

Potters typically work in studios or workshops, which may be part of their homes or separate commercial spaces. These environments are equipped with pottery wheels, kilns, and various tools for molding and decorating ceramics. Work hours can be flexible, often tailored around the creative process and production demands.

Quick task list

Prepares and conditions clay for pottery making.
Shapes clay into various forms using pottery wheels or hand-building techniques.
Decorates and glazes pottery pieces.
Operates kilns to fire and finish ceramics.
Maintains tools and equipment.
Sells and markets finished pottery.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Wheel Throwing: Specializing in creating pottery using a potter's wheel, focusing on symmetrical and rounded forms like bowls, vases, and jars.
Hand Building: Involves shaping clay by hand without a wheel, using techniques like coiling, pinching, and slab construction.
Sculptural Ceramics: Creating artistic and decorative ceramic sculptures, often focusing on aesthetic form rather than functional use.
Glaze Chemistry: Specializing in the formulation and application of glazes, focusing on the chemical processes to achieve various colors, textures, and finishes.
Raku Firing: A specialization in a unique firing process that involves removing pottery from the kiln while it's red hot and completing the process in an outdoor environment, resulting in distinctive finishes.
Porcelain Ware: Working specifically with porcelain clay, known for its purity, whiteness, and translucency, requiring specific techniques and high firing temperatures.
Earthenware Production: Specializing in making pottery from earthenware clay, which is fired at lower temperatures and results in a more porous and less dense product.
Stoneware Creation: Focusing on stoneware clay, which is durable and ideal for functional ware, fired at high temperatures to make it strong and waterproof.
Mold Making and Slip Casting: Using plaster molds to produce multiple identical pieces through slip casting, a technique involving pouring liquid clay into molds.
Tile Making: Specializing in the creation of ceramic tiles for decorative and architectural use, often involving intricate designs and glazing techniques.
Restoration and Conservation: Focusing on the restoration and preservation of historical and antique ceramic pieces.
Teaching and Workshop Instruction: Providing education and training in pottery techniques, either in academic settings or through workshops and classes.
Studio Management: Managing a pottery studio, which includes overseeing production processes, materials procurement, and possibly managing other artists or staff.
Pottery Design and Product Development: Designing new pottery products, often for commercial production, which involves both artistic creativity and market understanding.

Description

Pottery is a field that blends creativity with manual skill. Potters start by preparing clay, ensuring it has the right consistency for shaping. They use techniques like wheel throwing or hand building to form clay into desired shapes. Wheel throwing involves shaping clay on a rotating wheel, requiring coordination and a steady hand. Hand building is more direct, using techniques like coiling and slab building.

After shaping, potters often decorate their creations using carving, slip trailing, or glazing. Glazing not only adds color and texture but also waterproofs the pottery. Firing, the process of hardening and finishing the pottery in a kiln, is a delicate stage that transforms clay into ceramics. Potters must understand kiln temperatures and firing techniques to achieve the desired outcomes.

Aside from crafting skills, potters also engage in maintaining their workspace and equipment. Many are also involved in selling their work, which may include marketing, participating in craft fairs, and managing online sales platforms. Successful potters balance their artistic vision with practical business skills.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The joy of creating with one's hands and seeing ideas take physical form.
The artistic freedom to design and produce unique works.
The satisfaction of mastering a traditional and timeless craft.

You might make a good Potter if you are...

Artistically inclined with a passion for creating.
Patient and detail-oriented, enjoying the process of crafting by hand.
Comfortable working independently in a studio environment.
Interested in learning about materials, glazes, and firing techniques.
Entrepreneurial, with an interest in marketing and selling your creations.

Pros:

Creative and artistic fulfillment.
Flexibility in work hours and environment.
Opportunity to be self-employed and run your own studio.

Cons:

Potentially inconsistent income, especially when starting out.
Physically demanding, with long hours spent standing or at the wheel.
The need for continuous learning and adaptation to new techniques and materials.

How to become a Potter

Typical education

While formal education is not strictly necessary, many potters have at least a high school diploma. Post-secondary education in fine arts or ceramics, typically ranging from associate to master's degrees, can be beneficial for developing technical skills and artistic knowledge.

High school preparation

Courses:

Art classes, particularly in ceramics and sculpture.
Business studies for those interested in running a pottery business.
Chemistry for understanding glazes and firing processes.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining art clubs or participating in local art workshops.
Volunteering or interning with local potters or at art centers.
Developing an online portfolio of artwork.

Preparation after high school

Attending workshops or classes in ceramics at community colleges or art schools.
Pursuing a degree in fine arts or ceramics.
Apprenticeships or mentorships with experienced potters.
Building a personal studio and acquiring necessary equipment.

More resources

The American Ceramic Society - Offers resources and a community for ceramic artists and potters.
Ceramics Monthly Magazine - Provides insights into the world of contemporary ceramics.
Pottery Making Info - A resource for pottery making tips and techniques.
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) - Offers networking and educational resources for ceramic artists.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.