Silversmith and Goldsmith
Impact: Creating objects of enduring beauty and institutional significance in the most precious of materials
Design and fabricate objects in silver and gold including tableware, trophies, presentation pieces, ecclesiastical plate, and jewellery using raising, chasing, repoussé, engraving, and casting techniques. Undertake bespoke commissions for private clients, livery companies, and institutions; restore and conserve historic silver and gold objects for museums and private collections; and exhibit work through galleries and craft fairs. Develop proficiency in CAD/CAM design for complex forms.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- 20% Team / 80% Solo
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- Very High
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 38-50 hours/week
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $52,000
- Entry-level
- $24,000 - $36,000
- Senior
- $85,000+
- Growth by 2033
- 4% (ceremonial, ecclesiastical, and collector markets sustaining demand)
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- High
- Salary growth potential
- High -- 100-250% growth from apprentice to master silversmith with royal warrant or gallery representation
- Typical student debt
- $5,000 - $20,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Raising and sinking (hammer forming)
- Chasing and repoussé
- Engraving
- Casting (lost wax and sand casting)
- Polishing and finishing
- Ecclesiastical and ceremonial silversmithing
Soft skills
- Artistic vision
- Manual dexterity
- Attention to detail
- Historical knowledge
- Client communication
Technical complexity: Very High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Certificate or Vocational Training
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5-8 years
- Years to senior
- 10-20 years
- Career switching
- Very Hard
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- Jeweller (Bench Jeweller)
- Sculptor
Where you can go from here
- Master Silversmith
- Ecclesiastical Metalwork Specialist
Typical progression
- Apprentice
- Silversmith
- Senior Silversmith
- Master Silversmith / Royal Warrant Holder
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 8% -- raising, chasing, and engraving cannot be automated; casting is partially automatable
- AI disruption risk
- Very Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 9/10
- Meaning
- 9.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 7.5/10
- Prestige
- 8/10
- Social perception
- Very High