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The differences between bench jewelers and jeweler apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a bench jeweler and a jeweler apprentice. Additionally, a bench jeweler has an average salary of $43,153, which is higher than the $32,934 average annual salary of a jeweler apprentice.
The top three skills for a bench jeweler include laser, laser welding and custom design. The most important skills for a jeweler apprentice are jewelry design, CAD, and chain repair.
| Bench Jeweler | Jeweler Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $43,153 | $32,934 |
| Hourly rate | $20.75 | $15.83 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 479 | 6,059 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Bench Jeweler is responsible for cleaning and repairing jewelry and adjusting features according to the customers' specifications. Bench jewelers inspect the jewelry's condition and design one as necessary, depending on the jewelry store they are employed in. They must have a keen eye for details and knowledge of the jewelry processing to advise customers and recommend products based on their interests. A bench jeweler engraves metals and creates customized sizes and personalized items for the customer.
Jeweler Apprentices are trainees who work under jewelers. These apprentices are usually on track to becoming jewelers themselves. They should be familiar with the basics of making jewelry from different metals and using various stones. They should also know how to use tools and the different techniques that jewelers use. Jeweler Apprentices provide support to their mentors and help them throughout the jewelry-making process. They may be assigned to work on their own to produce the jewelry.
Bench jewelers and jeweler apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bench Jeweler | Jeweler Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $43,153 | $32,934 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $70,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a bench jeweler and a jeweler apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Bench Jeweler | Jeweler Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Fine Arts | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between bench jewelers' and jeweler apprentices' demographics:
| Bench Jeweler | Jeweler Apprentice | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.6% Female, 36.4% | Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 12.0% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.0% | Black or African American, 2.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 11.8% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |