Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
None
Long-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, work in a relatively small national field with about 26,000 people employed. The typical entry point is a bachelor’s degree, paired with a diverse skill set that spans creativity and innovation, fine motor abilities, and critical and analytical thinking. This career also values adaptability, physical strength and stamina, and comfort with computers and information technology, reflecting both traditional and modern aspects of artistic work. Nationally, the median annual salary is $60,560, though actual pay can vary widely by location. While projected national employment growth is slightly negative at -1.2%, there are still about 2,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing turnover and hiring. For students, career changers, and working artists, this path may appeal if you want to combine hands-on creative work with problem-solving and project management, and are prepared for a competitive, niche employment market.
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, earn a national median annual salary of $60,560. Pay levels vary considerably by state and metro area. Among states with strong opportunity scores, New York shows a higher median salary of $78,870, while Washington is also higher at $72,430. California’s median is $58,240, close to the national figure, while Colorado and Virginia report $51,910 and $47,930 respectively. At the metro level, salary differences are even more pronounced. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA reports a median salary of $126,470, the highest among the listed metros. Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA and Denver–Aurora–Centennial, CO also offer higher pay, at $82,580 and $77,100. In contrast, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV reports $56,560, and Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX has a median of $49,650. These figures show that earnings potential is closely tied to location choices.
National employment for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, stands at 26,000. Projected employment growth is -1.2%, indicating a small decline in total jobs over the projection period. Despite this negative growth rate, there are still an estimated 2,000 annual openings. These openings reflect ongoing movement in the field, such as people leaving the occupation or changing roles, which can create opportunities for new or advancing artists. Because the occupation is relatively small in total employment, even minor changes in job numbers or hiring patterns can affect the market. The combination of a modestly contracting employment base and consistent annual openings suggests that individuals pursuing this career should be prepared for a selective job market, but one where positions do continue to become available over time.
Location makes a significant difference for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators. Among states with strong opportunity scores, California has the largest listed employment at 2,560, a median salary of $58,240, and the highest opportunity score of 67.38. New York combines a smaller employment base of 1,400 with a higher median salary of $78,870 and an opportunity score of 65.78. Washington and Colorado have smaller employment levels (350 and 250) but offer median salaries of $72,430 and $51,910 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. Virginia has 230 employed, a median salary of $47,930, and an opportunity score of 54.96. At the metro level, San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA stands out with a median salary of $126,470, 450 employed, and the highest metro opportunity score of 68.75. Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA, Denver–Aurora–Centennial, CO, and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV show solid opportunity scores and mid-to-high salary ranges, while Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX offers lower median pay but a notable employment base of 230.
The typical education level for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, is a bachelor’s degree. This educational background supports the broad skill set associated with the occupation. Key skills include creativity and innovation and fine motor abilities, which underpin the hands-on and conceptual aspects of making art. Critical and analytical thinking, along with project management, help artists plan, execute, and evaluate their work. Adaptability and physical strength and stamina are also important, reflecting the varied and sometimes physically demanding nature of artistic practice. Comfort with computers and information technology, as well as mechanical, mathematics, and science skills, rounds out a multidimensional profile. Together, these skills suggest that successful fine artists often blend artistic vision with problem solving, technical awareness, and the ability to manage projects from idea through completion, all built on the foundation of bachelor’s-level education.
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