Peernovo
Ceramic, earth and stone product manufacturing workers

How to become a Pottery and Ceramics Maker

Also called: Tile maker, Ceramics polisher, Kiln worker, Ceramics moulder, Roof tile equipment operator, Ceramics production equipment operator, Ceramic raw materials equipment operator, Crucible production equipment operator

Makes pottery and ceramic products, from tableware such as bowls and plates to everyday items such as tiles, washbasins and toilets.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say high school or university is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualifications are needed to start, but it helps to have studied ceramic techniques and design at a technical high school or similar. People also join mid-career. Ceramics production ranges from machine-based factory production to traditional handcrafted work. As well as learning on the job, you can gain advanced skills at a vocational training school or a ceramics college. Within the division of labour in ceramics production, you can also specialise in shaping or painting. A related qualification is the ceramics making exam in the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) run by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which is valued as proof of skill. Shaping and painting call for a sense of design and artistic flair.

Ways in

Pay · Job openings · AI and this job

Related jobs

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Pottery and Ceramics Maker?

No particular education or qualifications are needed to start, but it helps to have studied ceramic techniques and design at a technical high school or similar. People also join mid-career. Ceramics production ranges from machine-based factory production to traditional handcrafted work. As well as learning on the job, you can gain advanced skills at a vocational training school or a ceramics college. Within the division of labour in ceramics production, you can also specialise in shaping or painting. A related qualification is the ceramics making exam in the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) run by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which is valued as proof of skill. Shaping and painting call for a sense of design and artistic flair.

How much does a Pottery and Ceramics Maker earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥4,675,800 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Ceramic, earth and stone product manufacturing workers, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a Pottery and Ceramics Maker?

Usually not. In this job's census occupation group, only 15% of workers are university graduates. Ways in include: National trade skills test (技能検定).

Will AI change the work of a Pottery and Ceramics Maker?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026