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Blacksmith

Blacksmiths work with different metals to make and repair decorative, industrial and everyday items.

Annual Salary

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

47 to 49 variable

You could work: freelance / self-employed; managing your own hours

4.1%
Future employment

There will be 4.1% fewer Blacksmith jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

You could:

  • sketch out new designs or follow customer instructions
  • heat metals to the right temperature in a forge or furnace
  • shape metals with hand tools like hammers, punches and anvils
  • create moulds for casting and apply finishes
  • use power tools, like drills, lathes and hydraulic presses
  • join metal parts together using riveting and welding methods

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work in a factory, in a workshop or in a foundry workshop.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, hot and noisy.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist courses run by private training organisations
University

You can do a degree course in artist blacksmithing at university.

You'll need a portfolio of your work and creative ideas to show at university interviews.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a foundation diploma in art and design
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You could do an introductory college course in working with metal before looking for a trainee position with a blacksmith.

You could do a:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalworking but there are usually only a few places available
  • Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Techniques and Skills to get into industrial blacksmithing
  • T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control to get some general blacksmithing skills
  • course in general metalwork or art and design as it might give you an advantage when looking for a job

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships you can take to become a blacksmith include:

  • general welder intermediate apprenticeship
  • blacksmith advanced apprenticeship
  • plate or pipe welder advanced apprenticeship

You may be able to use industrial welding experience to find a trainee blacksmith job with a specialist metalwork company.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work

You could work as an assistant to an experienced blacksmith and learn the craft on the job. You might find it useful if you have experience in metalwork and technical drawing.

Other routes

You'll find it useful to do a short course in blacksmithing. This will help you decide if it's a career that would suit you. The British Artist Blacksmiths Association has details of training organisations.

More information

Career tips

You usually need to show examples of your work and decorative ideas to get onto courses or if you're contacting blacksmiths about trainee positions.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Artist Blacksmiths Association and The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths for professional development and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can get more details about working as an artist blacksmith from the British Artist Blacksmiths Association.

You can also find out about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

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As an experienced artist blacksmith you could set up your own gallery or teach craft skills.

As an industrial blacksmith, you could manage a workshop or train to become a design engineer.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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