How Much Do Potters Make a Year?
£18k-£35k average in the UK. Studio potters earn less, teaching potters earn more. Here's the complete salary breakdown.
Quick Answer
Potters in the UK earn £18,000-£35,000 per year on average. Beginners: £15k-£20k. Experienced: £28k-£45k. Income varies by path: studio potters (lower), production potters (middle), teaching potters (higher). Most combine income streams—selling work, teaching classes, and commissions.
Potter Salary by Career Path (UK)
| Career Path | Annual Salary (£) | Income Sources | Job Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio potter (self-employed) | £15,000-£28,000 | Sales, markets, online, commissions | ⭐⭐ Variable |
| Production potter (employed) | £22,000-£35,000 | Salary, sometimes bonus | ⭐⭐⭐ Steady |
| Pottery instructor/teacher | £25,000-£40,000 | Classes, workshops, private lessons | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good |
| Ceramic designer (industry) | £28,000-£45,000 | Salary (tableware, tile, sanitaryware) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good |
| Pottery studio owner | £25,000-£60,000 | Classes, memberships, studio rentals | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate |
| College pottery lecturer | £35,000-£48,000 | Salary, sometimes research funding | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent |
| Master ceramicist/gallery artist | £35,000-£100,000+ | High-value sales, commissions, exhibitions | ⭐⭐ Variable (elite) |
Reality check: Most potters (70-80%) earn £18k-£32k by combining multiple income streams. The £40k+ earners are typically 10+ years into their careers or in teaching/ lecturing roles.
Salary Progression by Experience
£15,000-£20,000
Learning phase. Most beginners work part-time pottery jobs (studio assistant, teaching assistant) while building skills. Income often supplemented by other work.
Common jobs: Studio assistant (£10-12/hour), craft market seller (£50-200/ day), beginner class assistant.
£22,000-£30,000
Building reputation. Established customer base, regular market sales, possibly teaching beginner classes. Starting to make a living from pottery alone.
Income mix: 50% pottery sales, 30% teaching, 20% commissions or production work.
£28,000-£45,000
Sustainable career. Strong brand, repeat customers, gallery representation, higher prices. Teaching advanced classes or running own studio. Comfortable living.
Income mix: 40% sales, 40% teaching/studio, 20% commissions/special projects.
£35,000-£100,000+
Elite level. Recognized name, gallery exhibitions, high-value commissions, possibly published work. Top 5-10% of potters. Income highly variable based on sales and reputation.
How Potters Actually Make Money (Multiple Streams)
Selling Pottery
30-50% of incomeMarkets, online shops (Etsy, own website), galleries, craft fairs. Mugs: £15-35. Bowls: £25-60. Vases: £30-80. High-end pieces: £100-500+.
Challenge: Seasonal demand, production time limits volume.
Teaching Classes
20-40% of incomeBeginner workshops, private lessons, studio classes. Pay: £20-40/hour teaching. 6-week courses generate £600-1,200 total.
Benefit: Steady, predictable income. Less seasonal than sales.
Commissions
10-20% of incomeCustom dinnerware sets, personalized gifts, restaurant pottery. Pricing: £200-2,000 per commission. Higher margins than general sales.
Challenge: Requires reputation and portfolio. Irregular work.
Studio Rentals/Memberships
10-30% of incomeFor studio owners: Renting wheel time, kiln firings, shelf space. Members pay £80-150/ month. 20 members = £1,600-£3,000/month.
Benefit: Recurring revenue, less production-dependent.
Potter Salary vs. Other Creative Careers (UK)
| Career | Average Salary (£) | Job Security |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic designer | £25,000-£40,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good |
| Illustrator/Artist | £18,000-£35,000 | ⭐⭐ Variable |
| Potter/Ceramicist | £18,000-£35,000 | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate |
| Photographer | £20,000-£35,000 | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate |
| Jewellery maker | £16,000-£30,000 | ⭐⭐ Variable |
| Art teacher (secondary) | £28,000-£45,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent |
| Woodworker/Carpenter | £22,000-£38,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good |
Pottery earnings are typical for creative crafts. Similar to other maker careers—not lucrative, but viable if you combine income streams and build a reputation over 5-10 years.
Can You Actually Make a Living as a Potter?
Yes, If You:
- ✓ Combine multiple income streams (sales + teaching + commissions)
- ✓ Build reputation over 3-5 years before going full-time
- ✓ Develop business skills (marketing, pricing, customer service)
- ✓ Live modestly, especially in early years (£20k-£25k income)
- ✓ Diversify products (functional pottery sells better than art)
- ✓ Stay adaptable (online sales, teach when markets slow)
Hard If You:
- ✗ Only want to make art pottery (low sales volume)
- ✗ Refuse to teach or interact with customers
- ✗ Expect £40k+ income within 2-3 years
- ✗ Live in high cost-of-living area (London)
- ✗ Have significant debt or dependents (£18k-£22k start)
- ✗ Lack business/marketing skills and unwilling to learn
Related Questions
Are potters in demand?
Moderate demand, especially for custom and artisan work. Handmade pottery has grown in popularity (2020-2025), but competition is increasing. Teaching roles and studio work are more stable than self-employed pottery sales.
See potter job market analysis →How to start learning pottery?
Most professional potters started with hobby classes, then transitioned. Book a beginner course (£150-300 for 6 weeks) to test if pottery is right for you before considering a career.
Complete beginner's guide →Is pottery worth it as a hobby?
Absolutely—even if you never sell a piece. Pottery provides mental health benefits, creative fulfillment, and functional art. Most potters keep it as a rewarding hobby rather than career.
See full value breakdown →Start Your Pottery Journey—Hobby or Career
Most potters start as hobbyists, then decide if they want to turn professional. Book a class, learn the craft, and see if pottery is right for you—whether as a £10-50/week creative outlet or a future career.