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Pottery Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Pottery information

See Virginia salary details

$9

$14

$17

How much do pottery jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for pottery in Virginia is $14.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.96 and $16.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Pottery vs Ceramic Artist?

AspectPotteryCeramic Artist
CredentialsTypically no formal certification, but some may have art or craft degreesOften holds art degrees or specialized training in ceramics
Work EnvironmentStudio workshops, craft fairs, retail storesArt studios, galleries, exhibitions, commissions
Industry UsageCommonly used in craft, homeware, and functional wareUsed in fine art, sculpture, and creative installations

Pottery and ceramic artists both work with clay and ceramics, but pottery primarily focuses on creating functional items like bowls and vases, often in a craft setting. Ceramic artists tend to emphasize artistic expression, sculpture, and innovative designs, often working in galleries or art installations. While their skills overlap, their goals and environments differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pottery artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pottery Artist, you need a strong understanding of ceramic techniques, wheel-throwing, hand-building, and glazing, often gained through formal education or apprenticeships. Familiarity with kiln operation, pottery wheels, and various clay bodies, along with safety certifications for kiln use, are typically required. Creativity, patience, and attention to detail are essential soft skills for producing unique and high-quality pieces. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure both artistic expression and technical excellence in creating durable, marketable pottery.

What are the qualifications to get a pottery job?

The qualifications to get a pottery job depend on the type of work you perform. If you are a pottery instructor at a high school, college, or another educational institution, you typically need some formal instruction, such as a bachelor’s degree in ceramics. Teaching at the college level usually requires an advanced degree and professional experience, such as managing a ceramics studio or showcasing work as an artist. If you work as a craft artist, you may need some formal instruction, although it is not always necessary. Most potters and artists need to maintain an updated portfolio to demonstrate their skills and experience to clients or customers.

What are some common challenges pottery professionals face in maintaining consistent quality and meeting production deadlines?

Pottery professionals often encounter challenges in ensuring consistent quality due to variables like clay composition, kiln temperature fluctuations, and glaze behavior. Meeting production deadlines can also be difficult, especially when factoring in the time needed for drying, firing, and cooling, which are essential but unpredictable steps. Effective time management, careful planning of batch sizes, and regular equipment maintenance can help address these challenges. Collaborating with other team members, such as glaze technicians and kiln operators, is crucial for streamlining the workflow and troubleshooting issues quickly.

Do pottery make good money?

Pottery artists and professionals can earn varying incomes depending on their skill level, experience, and market demand. While some may earn a modest income through sales and commissions, highly skilled or established potters can generate significant revenue, especially if they sell through galleries, online platforms, or at craft fairs. Income potential often depends on the ability to build a customer base and develop a strong portfolio.

What jobs involve pottery?

Jobs involving pottery include ceramic artist, pottery instructor, studio potter, and ceramic technician. These roles typically require skills in shaping clay, glazing, firing techniques, and often working in studios or educational settings.

What does a potter do?

A potter is an artisan who creates objects out of clay, such as bowls, vases, and sculptures, by shaping and firing the clay in a kiln. Potters use various techniques like wheel-throwing, hand-building, and glazing to produce both functional and decorative pieces. Their work involves creativity, technical skill, and knowledge of materials and firing methods. Potters may sell their creations, teach pottery classes, or work for studios and manufacturers.
More about Pottery jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Pottery jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Pottery jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Pottery jobs in Virginia?

For Pottery jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Pottery jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Pottery jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Pottery jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Pottery job openings:

Pottery jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pottery job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 39% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $30,102 per year, or $14.5 per hour.

Instructor I/II/III - Pottery

JAMES CITY COUNTY

Williamsburg, VA

$16.89 - $40/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

James City County rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

761st of 846 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Instructor I/II/III - Pottery

Apply now Job no: 40000324
Work type: On-call
Location: Williamsburg
Categories: Recreation

Job Summary

$16.89 - $40.00 / hour DOQ; On-call positions available.

James City County Parks and Recreation seeks individuals to plan, execute, and instruct pottery programs for youth and/or adults, on an as-needed basis. Specifically, looking for individuals with some experience in pottery equipment maintenance and kiln firing. All experience of pottery and ceramics experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Conducts specific recreation class/program activities appropriate to the subject area and participants' ages.
Prepares site for activity and ensures proper clean-up at end of each class/program; maintains rapport with site staff.
Accompanies participants on field trips as needed.
Ensures class records are up-to-date and submitted at the end of class/program; ensures class evaluations are handed out at the end of class/program; ensures class/program goals are met.
Oversees proper use of facility, equipment, and supplies; establishes and enforces class/program rules and policies for students.
Ensures participant safety; administers first aid when necessary; reports all accidents, incidents and disciplinary concerns to the supervisor.
(Instructor III) Writes class description and lesson plans of program content; formulates and submits supply sheets and instructional handouts to class participants.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Must possess, or be able to obtain within 30 days of hire, a valid Virginia driver's license and have an acceptable driving record based on James City County's criteria.
May require possession, or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire, First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certifications from the American Red Cross.
May require certification(s) in class/program topic, such as aerobics, personal training, lifeguard instruction, swim instruction, water safety instruction, archery, and canoeing from approved certificating organization.
Knowledge of specialized subject matter of class/program; instructional procedures and practices; knowledge of participant performance level.
Skill in leadership (group and individual); teaching techniques, organizing time and assessing participants' interests and capabilities; communicating both orally and in writing; group facilitation; dealing with difficult situations.
Ability to work effectively with children and adults; plan and direct a quality recreational program; oversee work of others; generate interest of participants in class/program; break down subject matter to teach assigned age/skill groups.

Click here for full job description. Accepting applications until position is filled. Cover letters and resumes may also be attached, but a fully completed application is required for your application to be considered.

James City County is dedicated to building a diverse workforce and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. If you need assistance with completing the employment application, please contact the HR Department at 757-253-6680 or email HR.Recruit@jamescitycountyva.gov.

Advertised: 12 Feb 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:

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