Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators in the U.S. is $55,490 ($26.68 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $55,490
- Mean annual wage
- $73,150
- Median hourly wage
- $26.68
- Employment
- 11,220
11,220 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,630 | $15.21 |
| 25th percentile | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Median (50th) | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| 75th percentile | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| 90th percentile | $144,210 | $69.33 |
Highest-paying states for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $98,540 | — |
| Nevada | $81,630 | 160 |
| New York | $78,870 | 1,400 |
| Washington | $72,430 | 350 |
| Connecticut | $71,210 | 100 |
| Maryland | $66,180 | 80 |
| Georgia | $65,010 | 350 |
| New Mexico | $63,090 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $61,730 | — |
| California | $58,240 | 2,560 |
Lowest-paying states
- Kansas: $25,830 median annual wage
- Tennessee: $30,720 median annual wage
- Ohio: $31,780 median annual wage
- Arkansas: $32,340 median annual wage
- Michigan: $38,650 median annual wage
About this occupation
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Typical tasks
- Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
- Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
- Monitor events, trends, and other circumstances, research specific subject areas, attend art exhibitions, and read art publications to develop ideas and keep current on art world activities.
- Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
- Render drawings, illustrations, and sketches of buildings, manufactured products, or models, working from sketches, blueprints, memory, models, or reference materials.
- Frame and mat artwork for display or sale.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Bachelor's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 3.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 14.5% |
| Some college, no degree | 17.0% |
| Associate's degree | 9.1% |
| Bachelor's degree | 41.9% |
| Master's degree | 12.5% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 1.8% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Public Relations Specialists$74,750
- Coaches and Scouts$47,320
- Graphic Designers$62,960
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$39,390
- Producers and Directors$90,360
- Editors$77,920
- Interior Designers$67,190
- Audio and Video Technicians$58,100
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.