Every WoW character can learn two primary professions plus all secondary professions. Primary trades split into gathering (Mining, Herbalism, Skinning) and crafting (Alchemy, Blacksmithing, Enchanting, Engineering, Inscription, Jewelcrafting, Leatherworking, Tailoring). Secondary trades — Cooking, Fishing, and Archaeology — don't use a primary slot, so anyone can take all three. You raise skill by learning from trainers and repeatedly gathering or crafting.
Quick facts
- Slots: 2 primary + 3 secondary per character.
- Gathering (3): Mining, Herbalism, Skinning — collect raw materials to sell or feed crafts.
- Crafting (8): Alchemy, Blacksmithing, Enchanting, Engineering, Inscription, Jewelcrafting, Leatherworking, Tailoring.
- Secondary (3): Cooking, Fishing, Archaeology — no slot cost.
- Where to start: visit a profession trainer in any major city or expansion hub.
- Skill lines: each modern expansion has its own separate skill bar, so you re-level per expansion.
How to pick your two primaries
- Decide your goal: gold-making, gearing, or self-sufficiency.
- For gold with low effort: take two gathering trades and sell mats on the Auction House.
- For gearing your character: pair a crafting trade with the gathering trade that feeds it (e.g. Blacksmithing + Mining, Leatherworking + Skinning, Tailoring uses cloth from mob drops).
- Learn from the trainer, then complete the starter quest chain each expansion offers to unlock recipes and knowledge points.
- Spend Knowledge Points (in Dragonflight-era and later systems) to specialize — this is where real crafting power and profit come from.
Which professions make the most gold?
Gathering trades (Herbalism, Mining, Skinning) earn steady, low-risk gold because raw mats always sell. For bigger margins, crafting trades like Alchemy, Jewelcrafting, and Inscription turn cheap mats into consumables players rebuy constantly. Enchanting is reliable too, since it disenchants gear into always-in-demand materials.
Do professions still matter for endgame gear?
Yes. Crafted gear, embellishments, and profession-only enhancements (enchants, gems, flasks, food) are core to raiding and Mythic+. Crafting Orders let other players commission high-item-level pieces from you, so a well-specialized crafter stays relevant all patch long.
Can I change professions later?
Absolutely. You can unlearn a primary profession at any time and pick a new one, but you lose that skill's progress. Gathering trades relearn fast; crafting trades take longer to rebuild Knowledge, so switch deliberately rather than on a whim.
What are the best beginner pairings?
New players do well with Mining + Herbalism (pure income, gather everything you pass) or a craft-plus-feeder combo like Skinning + Leatherworking. Both keep your bags full of sellable or usable mats while you level.
If you'd rather skip the grind, PewPewShop's vetted pro players offer profession coaching and progression help — a rent-a-pro can plan your Knowledge Point path, level your trades efficiently, and show you the exact craft routes that pay. It's optional, human-only help for players who want results without the slog.