Profession tier list for WoW Forever beta ranks all 18 professions (9 gathering + 9 crafting) by gold, leveling, and end-game.
For broader content, see our Crafting Tier List, Gold Making, and Best Addons articles.
Quick summary: S tier crafting: Tailoring + Alchemy. S tier gathering: Mining + Herbalism. Best combo: Tailoring + Alchemy.
Profession tier list (overall)
S tier (must-pick)
| Profession |
Type |
Why |
| Tailoring |
Crafting |
Cloth → bolts = +67% |
| Alchemy |
Crafting |
Potions + elixirs |
| Mining |
Gathering |
Ore + gems |
| Herbalism |
Gathering |
Herbs + potions |
A tier (strong)
| Profession |
Type |
Why |
| Blacksmithing |
Crafting |
Plate gear |
| Jewelcrafting |
Crafting |
Gems + mounts |
| Leatherworking |
Crafting |
Leather gear |
| Skinning |
Gathering |
Leather + bones |
| Engineering |
Crafting |
Gadgets |
B tier (situational)
| Profession |
Type |
Why |
| Enchanting |
Crafting |
Enchants + wands |
| Inscription |
Crafting |
Glyphs + tomes |
| Cooking |
Crafting |
Food + buffs |
| Mining (alt) |
Gathering |
Less needed |
Best gathering profession
| Rank |
Profession |
Why |
| 1 |
Mining |
Ore + gems + JC |
| 2 |
Herbalism |
Herbs + Alchemy |
| 3 |
Skinning |
Leather + LW |
Best crafting profession
| Rank |
Profession |
Why |
| 1 |
Tailoring |
Cloth → bolts |
| 2 |
Alchemy |
Potions + elixirs |
| 3 |
Blacksmithing |
Plate gear |
| 4 |
Jewelcrafting |
Gems + mounts |
Best 2-prof combo (overall)
| Combo |
Why |
| Tailoring + Alchemy |
Universal demand + steady gold |
| Mining + Blacksmithing |
Self-supply plate |
| Skinning + Leatherworking |
Self-supply leather |
| Herbalism + Alchemy |
Self-supply potions |
| Mining + Jewelcrafting |
Self-supply gems |
Best profession for gold
| Rank |
Profession |
Gold/hour |
| 1 |
Tailoring |
80-100g |
| 2 |
Alchemy |
50-100g |
| 3 |
Blacksmithing |
30-80g |
| 4 |
Jewelcrafting |
30-50g |
| 5 |
Mining |
30-50g |
Best profession for leveling
| Rank |
Profession |
Why |
| 1 |
Tailoring |
Free cloth drops |
| 2 |
Skinning |
Free skins |
| 3 |
Herbalism |
Free herbs |
| 4 |
Mining |
Free ore |
| 5 |
Alchemy |
Herbs + vial |
Best profession for end-game
| Rank |
Profession |
Why |
| 1 |
Jewelcrafting |
Gems + ring |
| 2 |
Blacksmithing |
Plate gear |
| 3 |
Tailoring |
Cloth gear |
| 4 |
Engineering |
Gadgets |
Profession level cost
| Profession |
1-300 cost |
Time |
| Tailoring |
50-100g |
5-10 hours |
| Alchemy |
30-50g |
5-8 hours |
| Blacksmithing |
80-150g |
8-15 hours |
| Jewelcrafting |
100-200g |
10-15 hours |
| Leatherworking |
50-100g |
5-10 hours |
| Engineering |
80-150g |
8-15 hours |
| Enchanting |
30-50g |
3-5 hours |
| Inscription |
30-50g |
3-5 hours |
| Cooking |
20-30g |
2-3 hours |
Gathering leveling tips
Mining tips
| Tip |
Why |
| Smelt ore |
+skill |
| Track minerals |
Find nodes |
| Smelt higher level |
Save ore |
Herbalism tips
| Tip |
Why |
| Pick all herbs |
+skill |
| Track herbs |
Find nodes |
| Mill herbs |
+Inks |
Skinning tips
| Tip |
Why |
| Skin every kill |
Free leather |
| Track beasts |
Find mobs |
Crafting leveling tips
Tailoring tips
| Tip |
Why |
| Cloth → bolts first |
+skill + profit |
| Then bags |
+skill + 5g vendor |
Alchemy tips
| Tip |
Why |
| Healing potions |
High demand |
| Elixirs |
Premium price |
Best profession by content
For raid
| Profession |
Use |
| Jewelcrafting |
Gems |
| Blacksmithing |
Plate gear |
| Tailoring |
Cloth gear |
| Leatherworking |
Leather gear |
For PvP
| Profession |
Use |
| Engineering |
Gadgets |
| Jewelcrafting |
Trinkets |
| Blacksmithing |
Plate |
For gold
| Profession |
Use |
| Tailoring |
Cloth → bolts |
| Alchemy |
Potions |
| Blacksmithing |
Plate gear |
Common profession mistakes
| Mistake |
Cost |
| Skip gathering |
Material cost |
| Wrong combo |
Wasted slots |
| No leveling plan |
Slow progress |
| No second profession |
Limited |
FAQ
What’s the best profession?
Tailoring (cloth → bolts).
Best 2-prof combo?
Tailoring + Alchemy.
How much gold to start?
50-100g for materials.
Final verdict
S tier: Tailoring + Alchemy + Mining + Herbalism. A tier: most other specs.
Whatever you choose, Tailoring + Alchemy is universal.
For more content, see our Crafting Tier List, Gold Making, Best Addons, and Best Race-Class articles.