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Money & Outlook

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Part-time blacksmith Brian Gilbert says his shop rate averaged between $32 and $35 an hour, but his actual take-home pay was much less.

As a blacksmith becomes more experienced and can finish jobs quicker, wages tend to increase. Blacksmith Lorelei Sims ssays if you're attracted by money, starting as a self-employed blacksmith is not what you want to do.

Gilbert, a member of the Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America (ABANA), says the association has approximately 4,650 members. Not all blacksmiths belong to ABANA, however, and the ones that do are from all across North America.

Rob Edwards is the publisher of Anvil Magazine. He believes about one-third of the blacksmiths in the U.S. belong to ABANA, although the majority of them are most likely hobbyists.

In the California Blacksmith Association, there are at least 770 members. The demand for blacksmiths seems to vary across the country, says Edwards, with the coastal and more affluent areas showing more of a need for the profession.

"There has been a tremendous resurgence in blacksmithing," says Edwards. He adds that many blacksmithing shops have more work than they can handle.

However, retired blacksmith Fred Holder believes that most blacksmiths would find it difficult to earn a living full time. Again, demand depends on the type of work being done.

"Blacksmithing has gone from functional to artistic," says Edwards. That means that those working on farm equipment may not be as busy as those who are creating art pieces.

Earnings and employment information from the U.S. Department of Labor is not available for this field at this time.

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