How to become a Potter or Ceramic Artist

Also called: Ceramicist

Conceives and creates functional or artistic articles by moulding clay, glass and other fusible materials using hand-building and wheel techniques.

Main tasks

• Designs and plans functional or artistic articles made from clay, glass or other fusible materials
• Prepares clay by kneading, wedging and conditioning to achieve the desired consistency
• Shapes and moulds the clay into different forms and designs using various techniques such as wheel throwing, hand-building and carving
• Applies glazes and other surface treatments to pottery or ceramics to enhance its appearance, and adds unique colours, textures and patterns using techniques like brushwork, dipping, spraying, or wax resist
• Loads pottery into kilns and oversees the firing process
• Inspects finished pottery and ceramics for any defects or flaws, such as cracks, glaze irregularities or structural weaknesses

Ways in

• University: Communications & Media degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• University: Arts & Humanities degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts (CUA60720); Certificate III in Visual Arts (CUA31120); Certificate II in Visual Arts (CUA20720); Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts (CUA40620); Certificate IV in Visual Arts (CUA41320); Diploma of Ceramics (CUA51220); Diploma of Visual Arts (CUA51120); Certificate I in Visual Arts (CUA10320)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $108,212 a year
• About 12,300 people work in this job group now, and about 13,700 are projected by 2035. (+11.8%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

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• Film and Video Editor
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Questions people ask

How do I become a Potter or Ceramic Artist?

Ways in include: Communications & Media degrees; Arts & Humanities degrees; Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts; Certificate III in Visual Arts.

How much does a Potter or Ceramic Artist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $108,212 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Potter or Ceramic Artist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 12,300 to about 13,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Potter or Ceramic Artist?

Not always. 49% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Communications & Media degrees; Arts & Humanities degrees; Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts; Certificate III in Visual Arts.

Will AI change the work of a Potter or Ceramic Artist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04