by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Watchmaking & Jewelrymaking covers Watchmaking And Jewelrymaking. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Make Repairs, And Maintain Timepieces, Time-Measuring Devices, And Jewelry Items. Includes Instruction In Mechanical Timekeeping Systems, Digital Timekeeping Systems, Timesetting, Casting, Engraving, Polishing, Stonesetting, Soldering, Fine Microscopic Work, Equipment And Tool Maintenance, Redesign And Restyling Techniques, And Customer Relations. Read on to learn the essential details every watchmaking & jewelrymaking student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering watchmaking & jewelrymaking programs.
Across the country, watchmaking & jewelrymaking draws strong interest, with 81 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Watchmaking & Jewelrymaking Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for watchmaking & jewelrymaking students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of watchmaking & jewelrymaking programs later in this article.
Coursework for Watchmaking & Jewelrymaking build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations watchmaking & jewelrymaking graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a watchmaking & jewelrymaking program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a watchmaking & jewelrymaking major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several watchmaking & jewelrymaking degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 49 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 14 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 18 |
People currently working in careers related to watchmaking & jewelrymaking tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 52.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.5% |
| Some college courses | 6.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in watchmaking & jewelrymaking careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in watchmaking & jewelrymaking can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to watchmaking & jewelrymaking.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to watchmaking & jewelrymaking.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Gem and Diamond Workers | 797,991 | 3.9% |
| Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters | 581,840 | 6.9% |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | 486,359 | -1.5% |
| Watch and Clock Repairers | 439,175 | 13.6% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of watchmaking & jewelrymaking graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,220 |
| 4 years | $39,373 |
| 5 years | $44,868 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for watchmaking & jewelrymaking graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers watchmaking & jewelrymaking grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | $67,147 |
| Gem and Diamond Workers | $66,671 |
| Watch and Clock Repairers | $56,376 |
| Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters | $49,151 |
With 5 different watchmaking & jewelrymaking programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased watchmaking & jewelrymaking school rankings to help you.
Those considering watchmaking & jewelrymaking, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
