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Gemologist salary
Average gemologist salary
$62,830
Average Gemologist Salary Overview
The average gemologist salary in the United States is approximately $62,830 annually, equating to about $30 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographical location, years of experience, and the specific sector of the gemology field. For instance, gemologists working in retail may earn different salaries compared to those in appraisal or education roles.
State-by-State Salary Insights
Higher salaries are often found in states with a strong jewelry market, such as California and New York. In these regions, experienced gemologists can command salaries exceeding $75,000. Additionally, positions that require specialized skills or certifications can lead to higher compensation. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for professionals looking to maximize their earning potential.
Career Opportunities
As a gemologist, you can explore various career paths including diamond grading, gem appraisal, and sales. Each role comes with its salary expectations and growth opportunities. To stay competitive, consider pursuing certifications and further education in gemology.
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Where can a Gemologist earn more?
Gemologist salary estimates from across the web
Average gemologist salary by state
The highest-paying states for gemologists are Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Minnesota. The lowest average gemologist salary states are Nebraska, South Carolina, and Colorado.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for gemologists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $95,072 | $45.71 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $91,773 | $44.12 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $105,421 | $50.68 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $87,189 | $41.92 |
| 5 | New York | $88,762 | $42.67 |
| 6 | Alabama | $84,732 | $40.74 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $85,149 | $40.94 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $85,032 | $40.88 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $85,003 | $40.87 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $84,349 | $40.55 |
| 11 | Delaware | $83,488 | $40.14 |
| 12 | Vermont | $82,779 | $39.80 |
| 13 | Florida | $78,744 | $37.86 |
| 14 | Nevada | $75,991 | $36.53 |
| 15 | Maryland | $82,371 | $39.60 |
| 16 | Maine | $74,824 | $35.97 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $77,743 | $37.38 |
| 18 | Indiana | $67,738 | $32.57 |
| 19 | Utah | $67,546 | $32.47 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | $81,872 | $39.36 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $68,433 | $32.90 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $68,536 | $32.95 |
| 23 | Iowa | $67,929 | $32.66 |
| 24 | Virginia | $72,059 | $34.64 |
| 25 | Michigan | $67,260 | $32.34 |
| 26 | Illinois | $70,650 | $33.97 |
| 27 | California | $72,536 | $34.87 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| 29 | Arizona | $65,383 | $31.43 |
| 30 | Washington | $66,816 | $32.12 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $65,668 | $31.57 |
| 32 | Kansas | $65,511 | $31.50 |
| 33 | West Virginia | $62,545 | $30.07 |
| 34 | Idaho | $65,346 | $31.42 |
| 35 | Ohio | $62,708 | $30.15 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $58,729 | $28.24 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $58,263 | $28.01 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $59,995 | $28.84 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $55,995 | $26.92 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $57,648 | $27.72 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $56,465 | $27.15 |
| 42 | Texas | $57,335 | $27.56 |
| 43 | Missouri | $56,042 | $26.94 |
| 44 | Georgia | $57,064 | $27.43 |
| 45 | Alaska | $58,967 | $28.35 |
| 46 | Montana | $56,244 | $27.04 |
| 47 | Colorado | $55,097 | $26.49 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $55,385 | $26.63 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $53,919 | $25.92 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $53,664 | $25.80 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $46,405 | $22.31 |
Highest paying cities for gemologists
The highest-paying cities for gemologists are New York, NY, Saint George, UT, and Carlsbad, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $88,888 | $42.73 |
| 2 | Saint George, UT | $71,351 | $34.30 |
| 3 | Carlsbad, CA | $69,849 | $33.58 |
| 4 | Cincinnati, OH | $60,066 | $28.88 |
| 5 | Orange, TX | $56,840 | $27.33 |
Gemologist salary details
A gemologist's salary ranges from $45,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $86,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a gemologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $86,000 | $7,167 | $41 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,000 | $6,167 | $36 |
| Average | $62,830 | $5,236 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| 10th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
Highest paying gemologist jobs
The highest paying types of gemologists are jewelry maker, goldsmith apprentice, and burr bench operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bench Jeweler | $43,153 | $3,596 | $20.75 | 479 |
| Jeweler Apprentice | $32,934 | $2,745 | $15.83 | 6,059 |
| Jeweler | $43,022 | $3,585 | $20.68 | 359 |
Top companies hiring gemologists now:
Which companies pay gemologists the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Everything But The House (ebth) | $70,509 | $33.90 |
| 2 | Gemological Institute of America | $70,419 | $33.86 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Gemologist salary trends
The average gemologist salary has risen by $11,801 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average gemologist earned $51,029 annually, but today, they earn $62,830 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for gemologists over the last decade.
Compare gemologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average gemologist salary over time
Compare gemologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Gemologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $62,800 | $30.21 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $61,300 | $29.46 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $59,100 | $28.43 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | $56,900 | $27.37 | -0.6% |
| 2021 | $57,300 | $27.54 | +3.0% |
Recently added gemologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gemological Institute of America | Staff Gemologist (Colored Stones) | New York, NY | 06/06/2025 | $77,219 |
| Gia Enterprises Inc. | Staff Gemologist (Colored Stones) | Carlsbad, CA | 04/29/2025 | $70,436 |
| Gemological Institute of America | Staff Gemologist (Colored Stones) | Carlsbad, CA | 04/07/2025 | $70,436 |
| Private Practice | Gemologist | Brentwood, TN | 12/02/2024 | $55,000 |
| Gemological Institute of America Inc. | Staff Gemologist (Colored Stones) | New York, NY | 02/24/2024 | $58,436 |
| Gemological Institute of America, Inc. | Staff Gemologist | New York, NY | 02/05/2024 | $73,275 |
| Gemological Institute of America, Inc. | Staff Gemologist | New York, NY | 02/05/2024 | $73,275 |
| Jewelry Appraisal and Gemological Institute | Staff Gemologist | San Diego, CA | 01/20/2024 | $41,740 |
| Signet Jewelers | Staff Gemologist I | Seattle, WA | 01/04/2024 | $43,827 |
| Signet Jewelers | Staff Gemologist I | Seattle, WA | 12/01/2023 | $43,827 |
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