Jewellers design, make, repair and sell fine jewellery, typically starting as an apprentice and progressing to senior or master jeweller, with many going on to self-employed bespoke commission work or workshop ownership. This guide shows exactly what jewellers take home after income tax, National Insurance and pension contributions for the 2026/27 tax year, covering both employed and self-employed routes.
Figures are indicative market rates; self-employed figures are profit after business costs.
| Role | Career Stage | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Jeweller | 0--2 years | £16,000--£20,000 | Learning bench skills; often studying a Level 2/3 qualification |
| Jeweller / Goldsmith | 2--6 years | £22,000--£30,000 | Full range of repairs, sizing and commission work |
| Senior / Master Jeweller | 6+ years | £30,000--£42,000 | High-end commissions and workshop supervision |
| Self-Employed Bespoke Jeweller | Varies | £25,000--£45,000 | Sole trader; profit after stock, tools and hallmarking costs |
| Workshop Owner | Varies | £30,000--£60,000+ | Depends on client base, retail footfall and reputation |
These scenarios illustrate take-home pay at different career stages using 2026/27 England tax rates (personal allowance £12,570). The bespoke jeweller example uses Class 4 self-employed National Insurance.
Entry-level
Established
After business costs
Figures are for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scottish taxpayers pay Scottish Income Tax rates.
| Scenario | Gross | Income Tax | NI | Net/yr | Net/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice jeweller | £18,000 | -£1,086 | -£434 | £16,480 | £1,373/mo |
| Jeweller / goldsmith | £26,000 | -£2,686 | -£1,074 | £22,240 | £1,853/mo |
| Senior jeweller | £34,000 | -£4,286 | -£1,714 | £28,000 | £2,333/mo |
Self-employed jewellers pay Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance on profits (sales minus allowable expenses) via Self Assessment. Class 4 NI is charged at 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% above that.
Allowable expenses typically include precious metal and gemstone stock, tools, workshop rent, hallmarking fees, professional indemnity insurance and marketing. Precious metal price volatility is a significant factor to manage when quoting bespoke commission work.
| Annual Profit | Income Tax | Class 4 NI | Net/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | -£2,486 | -£746 | £21,768 |
| £38,000 | -£5,086 | -£1,526 | £31,388 |
| £50,000 | -£7,486 | -£2,246 | £40,268 |
There is no legal requirement to hold a qualification to work as a jeweller, though most train through a Level 2/3 jewellery or goldsmithing qualification or via a traditional workshop apprenticeship.
Most precious metal items above a minimum weight must be hallmarked by a UK Assay Office before sale. For self-employed jewellers this is a deductible business cost; employed jewellers working for a retailer typically do not bear this cost personally.
Bespoke engagement and wedding ring commissions typically pay significantly more per piece than repair or retail work, reflecting design time and precious metal outlay, and can build a strong referral-driven self-employed practice.
Workshop owner income depends heavily on client base and reputation, retail footfall (if shop-facing), repair/restoration turnover and precious metal price management.
