Life As a Manufacturing Potter
Occupation Description Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter’s wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.
Daily Life Of a Manufacturing Potter
- Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.
- Press thumbs into centers of revolving clay to form hollows, and press on the inside and outside of emerging clay cylinders with hands and fingers, gradually raising and shaping clay to desired forms and sizes.
- Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.
- Teach pottery classes.
- Perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.
- Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
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Things a Manufacturing Potter Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Manufacturing Potters say are important on the job.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Types of Manufacturing Potter Jobs
- Pottery Machine Operator
- Clay Mixer
- Studio Potter
- Sculptor
- Press Operator
Manufacturing Potter Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 43,000 jobs for Manufacturing Potter in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Manufacturing Potter. The BLS estimates 4,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Manufacturing Potter are Utah, Nevada, and Alabama. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Ohio, or Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Manufacturing Potter Salary
The typical yearly salary for Manufacturing Potters is somewhere between $22,910 and $51,010.

Manufacturing Potters who work in Vermont, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
How much do Manufacturing Potters make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $32,960 |
Arizona | $32,620 |
Arkansas | $31,330 |
California | $36,050 |
Colorado | $37,090 |
Connecticut | $36,480 |
Delaware | $34,770 |
Florida | $29,470 |
Georgia | $31,480 |
Hawaii | $39,800 |
Idaho | $37,530 |
Illinois | $39,230 |
Indiana | $35,150 |
Iowa | $36,770 |
Kansas | $37,780 |
Kentucky | $34,470 |
Louisiana | $29,950 |
Maine | $34,520 |
Maryland | $36,490 |
Massachusetts | $35,310 |
Michigan | $32,780 |
Minnesota | $37,510 |
Mississippi | $33,130 |
Missouri | $33,680 |
Montana | $36,710 |
Nebraska | $55,090 |
Nevada | $32,840 |
New Hampshire | $35,040 |
New Jersey | $45,180 |
New Mexico | $37,500 |
New York | $37,080 |
North Carolina | $34,850 |
North Dakota | $35,520 |
Ohio | $34,710 |
Oklahoma | $33,880 |
Oregon | $35,980 |
Pennsylvania | $34,240 |
Rhode Island | $42,220 |
South Carolina | $40,650 |
Tennessee | $32,370 |
Texas | $33,520 |
Utah | $36,120 |
Vermont | $46,110 |
Virginia | $35,050 |
Washington | $40,030 |
West Virginia | $40,370 |
Wisconsin | $34,000 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Manufacturing Potters
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Manufacturing Potters may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Inventory control software
Becoming a Manufacturing Potter
What kind of Manufacturing Potter requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Manufacturing Potters Work?

Manufacturing Potters work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Manufacturing Potter might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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