What Does A Manufacturing Potter Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Manufacturing Potters

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

Salary
$37370
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

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

  • 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.
  • Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.
  • Mix and apply glazes, and load glazed pieces into kilns for firing.
  • Position balls of clay in centers of potters’ wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Manufacturing Potters adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner. They operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.

A typical day for a Manufacturing Potter will also include:

  • 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.
  • Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.
  • Operate jigger machines to form ceramic ware, such as bowls, cups, plates, and saucers.
  • Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.
  • Position balls of clay in centers of potters’ wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Manufacturing Potters also maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed. They may also perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Manufacturing Potters mix and apply glazes, and load glazed pieces into kilns for firing. They might also start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on the panel boards to verify operational efficiency.

In addition, they operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them teach pottery classes.

To some Manufacturing Potters, it is also their responsibility to verify the accuracy of shapes and sizes of objects, using calipers and templates.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.

It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

One of the lowest paying jobs.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$37370 per year

Average hourly wage

$18 per hour

Entry-level Manufacturing Potters with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $25,490 to $29,190 per year or $12 to $14 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $53,290 $26
Senior (Top 25%) $43,710 $21
Median $35,440 $17
Junior (Bottom 25%) $29,190 $14
No experience (Bottom 10%) $25,490 $12

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
42%

40 hours
23%

More than 40 hours
35%

Working schedule

35%

58%

7%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
42%

Every day
39%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
52%

Every day
22%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
27%

Every day
60%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
22%

Once a year
46%

Once a month
16%

Once a week
16%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
41%

Slightly competitive
13%

Moderately competitive
22%

Highly competitive
15%

Extremely competitive
8%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
25%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
8%

Once a week or more
8%

Every day
58%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
44%

Once a year or more
7%

Once a month or more
8%

Once a week or more
26%

Every day
14%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
52%

Once a year or more
34%

Once a month or more
13%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
31%

Once a year or more
11%

Once a month or more
40%

Once a week or more
18%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
16%

High School Diploma or equivalent
30%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
31%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
18%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
5%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

No majors found

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
7%

1 month
8%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
10%

1 to 2 years
18%

2 to 4 years
8%

4 to 6 years
22%

6 to 8 years
9%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
18%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
20%

1 to 3 months
17%

3 to 6 months
2%

6 months to 1 year
16%

1 to 2 years
13%

2 to 4 years
13%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
18%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
95%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
19%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
57%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
14%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
19%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
24%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
62%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
48%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
43%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
52%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
38%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
43%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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