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.
No formal educational credential
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.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Artists and related workers, all other is a relatively small but specialized creative occupation, with national employment of about 14,000 people. The national median annual salary of $72,760 indicates that many roles in this field can offer solid earning potential, depending on location and specific job context. Employment is projected to grow by 0.8%, suggesting a generally stable outlook rather than rapid expansion or contraction. With about 1,000 annual openings nationwide, opportunities arise from a combination of new positions and turnover in existing roles. The top skills highlight a blend of creativity, technology use, communication, and project management, reflecting both artistic and professional demands. For individuals who are highly creative, adaptable, and comfortable combining artistic abilities with critical thinking and problem solving, this field can provide a pathway to build a distinctive career. The varied opportunity scores across states and metro areas also give candidates options to target locations that best match their goals.
The national median annual salary for artists and related workers, all other is $72,760. Within this overall picture, earnings vary significantly by state and metro area. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $60,540 in California to $128,610 in Maryland. Virginia and Massachusetts also show relatively high median salaries of $111,530 and $94,890, respectively, while Texas stands at $64,060. At the metro level, median pay spans from $48,760 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim to $125,050 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria. Boston-Cambridge-Newton reports $92,100, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington $67,240, and San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad $73,840. These differences show that location decisions can substantially influence earning potential within this occupation, and workers may wish to consider both salary levels and broader opportunity scores when evaluating where to pursue roles.
This occupation has national employment of about 14,000, reflecting a relatively small workforce. Projected employment growth of 0.8% indicates modest expansion over the projection period. While this is not rapid growth, it does suggest that overall employment is expected to move slightly upward rather than decline. The estimate of about 1,000 annual openings nationwide is an important indicator for job seekers, showing that positions do become available each year. These openings can include both new jobs created and existing roles that need to be filled due to turnover or other changes. When combined with the stable growth projection, this pattern suggests a labor market with recurring opportunities but not a large volume of new positions. Individuals considering this field may want to be intentional about targeting locations and roles that align with their skills, since the total number of positions is limited compared with larger occupations.
Location makes a clear difference for artists and related workers, all other, both in pay and in overall opportunity scores. At the state level, California has the highest employment among the listed states at 740, with a median salary of $60,540 and an opportunity score of 67.38, the highest state score provided. Massachusetts and Virginia show smaller employment counts—50 and 180 respectively—but relatively high median salaries of $94,890 and $111,530, and strong opportunity scores above 54. Maryland stands out with a median salary of $128,610 and employment of 470, paired with an opportunity score of 52.88. Texas offers 260 jobs at a median salary of $64,060. Among metro areas, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria combines the highest median salary at $125,050 with the highest metro opportunity score, 64.47, and employment of 1,410. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has 370 jobs but a lower median salary of $48,760, while Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Diego offer smaller employment totals but mid-to-high salary levels and solid opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for artists and related workers, all other is listed as no formal educational credential. This indicates that entry into the field does not depend on a specific degree or formal program. Instead, the skill profile becomes especially important. Key skills include creativity and innovation, fine motor abilities, and strong problem solving and decision making. Communication skills such as speaking and listening, as well as writing and reading, also feature prominently, suggesting that conveying ideas and collaborating with others can play a role. Competence with computers and information technology is highlighted, along with project management and critical and analytical thinking, pointing to the value of organizing work effectively and making informed decisions. Interpersonal skills and adaptability round out the profile, supporting work in varied settings and with diverse collaborators. For people considering this occupation, focusing on building these capabilities can be a practical way to strengthen their competitiveness without a formal credential requirement.
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