Potters, Manufacturing

What the job really is

Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-9195
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
• Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns.
• Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.
• Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
• Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.
• Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
• Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.
• Attach handles to pottery pieces.
• 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.
• Pack and ship pottery to stores or galleries for retail sale.
• Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.
• Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Air cleaners, Air compressors, Ball mills, Banding wheels, Carving spatulas, Carving tools, Ceramics kilns, Clay cutters, Clay extruders, Clay mixers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
• Craft Artists
• Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
• Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
• Etchers and Engravers
• Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
• Foundry Mold and Coremakers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Potters, Manufacturing — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.