Craft Artist Salary
Craft Artists earn a median $46,080 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What craft artists do
Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.0% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 1,000
- Self-employed
- 62%
Employment of craft artists is projected to grow 2.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Craft Artist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,350
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,857
- Medicare (1.45%)$668
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,205
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,960 | $12.48 | $22,988 |
| 25th percentile | $35,020 | $16.84 | $30,319 |
| Median (50th) | $46,080 | $22.15 | $39,205 |
| 75th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 | $48,976 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,990 | $34.61 | $59,475 |
Craft Artist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $100,540 | +67.6% | $73,132 | $55,290 – $204,390 | 170 |
| Missouri | $61,780 | +5.2% | $49,854 | $37,830 – $73,560 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $58,650 | +22.2% | $47,506 | $25,990 – $73,790 | 190 |
| Texas | $54,690 | +5.2% | $46,123 | $35,790 – $71,990 | 870 |
| Maine | $53,380 | +40.8% | $42,649 | $34,560 – $57,320 | 50 |
| Oregon | $51,060 | +32.3% | $39,569 | $39,740 – $78,000 | 170 |
| New York | $49,020 | +0.9% | $39,517 | $33,650 – $89,790 | 50 |
| Georgia | $48,880 | +43.6% | $39,541 | $19,600 – $95,210 | — |
| Florida | $48,710 | +4.1% | $41,318 | $35,530 – $80,800 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $47,660 | +6.8% | $38,312 | $38,320 – $76,010 | 50 |
| Arizona | $46,300 | +54.6% | $38,433 | $31,430 – $58,840 | — |
| Washington | $44,120 | +1.7% | $37,630 | $39,150 – $54,720 | 80 |
| Colorado | $43,620 | +8.5% | $36,018 | $36,580 – $58,470 | — |
| Illinois | $43,040 | +34.7% | $34,777 | $33,670 – $68,080 | — |
| Alaska | $41,600 | — | $35,606 | $41,600 – $41,600 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $41,600 | −20.0% | $34,328 | $32,140 – $61,000 | 230 |
| Alabama | $40,800 | +16.3% | $33,188 | $21,520 – $44,270 | 70 |
| Ohio | $38,070 | +4.5% | $32,505 | $30,060 – $50,450 | 180 |
| South Carolina | $35,050 | +11.2% | $29,397 | $26,010 – $52,830 | 70 |
| Connecticut | $34,010 | +4.2% | $28,902 | $34,010 – $42,810 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $32,830 | −12.6% | $28,559 | $30,930 – $109,410 | — |
| Minnesota | $27,560 | −13.8% | $23,650 | $24,780 – $60,820 | 140 |
| Michigan | $25,960 | −2.6% | $22,136 | $25,960 – $47,990 | 290 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 | Bachelor's degree | -2.9% |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $71,240 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $102,030 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
| Art Director | $114,850 | Bachelor's degree | +4.2% |
| Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer | $39,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.7% |
| Floral Designer | $37,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | Bachelor's degree | -1.7% |
| Designers, All Other | $64,950 | Bachelor's degree | +1.2% |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $75,240 | Bachelor's degree | +1.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a craft artist make?
The national median salary for craft artists is $46,080 a year ($22.15 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $25,960 and the top 10% earn over $71,990. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays craft artists the most?
California has the highest median pay at $100,540.
How many craft artists are there in the U.S.?
About 4,580 people work as craft artists nationwide.