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Candle maker

Also called chandler, candlemaker, candle former

Candle makers mold candles, place the wick in the middle of the mold and fill the mold with wax, by hand or machine. They remove the candle from the mold, scrape off excess wax and inspect the candle for any deformities.

Will there be jobs?Limited prospects9 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Handicraft and printing workersWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,100 (Bulgaria) to €4,900 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Handicraft and printing workersWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational6 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training.Handicraft and printing workersWill AI change it?No exact scoreThe ILO does not score this exact group; the figure is the average of related groups.

What you'd do

Extract products from mouldsConstruct mouldsEnsure conformity to specificationsFill mouldsCool candles in baths+ 10 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines every day
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the related, broader US job "Embalmers"

Will there be jobs?

Limited prospects

Fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as handicraft and printing workers in the EU
1.02m893k739k 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
204,000 replacing leavers 126,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Handicraft and printing workers9
All jobs29
Right now
1 of 27 countries report a shortage of handicraft workers not elsewhere classified, 4 a surplus.
Handicraft workers not elsewhere classified · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,100 a month (Bulgaria) to €4,900 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among craft and related trades workers in the EU, women earn 26% less per hour than men. Craft and related trades workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training is the usual route.

Highest qualification of handicraft and printing workers (EU, 2025)
Degree 17%Vocational 48%General secondary 11%Basic schooling 24%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

The ILO does not score this exact group; the figure is the average of related groups.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale

Average task score 0.17 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully). Average of related groups (handicraft workers).

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for handicraft workers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).