Apprentice Potter. Salary: $19,000 

You're at the bottom of the terracotta totem pole. Your mentor's version of "teaching" you things is having you do the same glazing and firing routine day after day after day. You'll never make it to the top at this rate.

Potter/Bartender. Salary: $24,000 

It's official. You're a potter. Or at least, that's what the business cards you just spent $100 on say. Your online shop isn't doing great, but at least you're making money off your work. Most of your income comes from your bartending gig, but it's a start.

Potter/Kiln Loader/Professional Glazer. Salary: $31,000 

You quit your bartending job when you got a full-time gig at a nearby ceramics studio. The pay's still not great, but the perks are nice: free studio space and full access to all the tools after hours. Having all this time to create, as well as a few years' experience with online selling, has really helped your online shop.

Freelance Potter. Salary: $37,000 

Not only is the online shop thriving, you're selling to real-life people, too. You have your own studio space in which to create elegant works of art for your sweet upcoming gallery showing, and a local café has just bought a whole batch of your huge (read: expensive) plates and cups for their grand opening.

Megastar Potter. Salary: $52,000 

You've been in the business for forty years, so you decide it's time to pass on your expertise to the next generation. You own three studios and employ other ceramicists to work at each one to keep them going. That leaves you plenty of time to create and sell your iconic pieces, as well as get paid for teaching exclusive, highly-sought-after classes. You're at the top of your game, and you've decided you like it up there.