Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Salary
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn a median $55,490 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators do
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -2.9% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 2,200
- Self-employed
- 63%
Employment of fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators is projected to shrink 2.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,200 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.
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,479
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,440
- Medicare (1.45%)$805
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$46,766
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,630 | $15.21 | $27,595 |
| 25th percentile | $37,560 | $18.06 | $32,359 |
| Median (50th) | $55,490 | $26.68 | $46,766 |
| 75th percentile | $83,200 | $40.00 | $67,361 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,210 | $69.33 | $109,834 |
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $98,540 | +55.5% | $70,360 | $55,140 – $151,020 | — |
| Nevada | $81,630 | +53.4% | $66,257 | $39,070 – $94,860 | 160 |
| New York | $78,870 | +0.2% | $60,653 | $50,010 – $154,630 | 1,400 |
| Washington | $72,430 | −7.6% | $59,785 | $38,730 – $120,160 | 350 |
| Connecticut | $71,210 | −2.3% | $56,585 | $39,380 – $101,110 | 100 |
| Maryland | $66,180 | −9.0% | $52,576 | $43,830 – $78,250 | 80 |
| Georgia | $65,010 | +5.6% | $51,664 | $40,530 – $94,130 | 350 |
| New Mexico | $63,090 | +45.9% | $51,073 | $41,520 – $79,610 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $61,730 | −3.1% | $49,106 | $42,680 – $104,000 | — |
| California | $58,240 | −58.4% | $46,675 | $36,300 – $207,320 | 2,560 |
| Utah | $57,270 | +31.1% | $46,585 | $34,290 – $96,100 | 80 |
| Arizona | $56,160 | −11.4% | $46,109 | $34,310 – $97,240 | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,270 | −8.6% | $44,120 | $22,360 – $102,920 | — |
| Illinois | $53,850 | +0.1% | $42,928 | $32,720 – $99,630 | — |
| Wisconsin | $53,350 | −7.7% | $43,480 | $21,590 – $81,410 | 100 |
| Colorado | $51,910 | −29.9% | $42,314 | $43,040 – $102,120 | 250 |
| Florida | $50,360 | +3.9% | $42,644 | $31,160 – $134,150 | 1,010 |
| Missouri | $49,820 | −4.2% | $40,806 | $31,770 – $71,080 | 110 |
| Texas | $49,650 | +43.5% | $42,074 | $17,880 – $77,380 | 700 |
| Kentucky | $48,050 | +24.8% | $39,224 | $22,750 – $65,360 | 60 |
| Virginia | $47,930 | −18.7% | $38,750 | $29,640 – $87,400 | 230 |
| Oklahoma | $47,830 | +5.8% | $39,005 | $45,060 – $89,480 | 60 |
| Maine | $46,170 | +3.3% | $37,343 | $38,100 – $73,330 | — |
| Louisiana | $40,700 | +25.7% | $34,048 | $32,320 – $74,550 | — |
| Nebraska | $39,800 | −6.9% | $33,228 | $31,200 – $66,900 | 40 |
| Michigan | $38,650 | +10.2% | $31,843 | $25,960 – $124,480 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $32,340 | — | $27,117 | $27,370 – $60,790 | 40 |
| Ohio | $31,780 | +1.9% | $27,624 | $22,860 – $63,750 | 510 |
| Tennessee | $30,720 | −35.4% | $26,864 | $27,670 – $58,770 | 100 |
| Kansas | $25,830 | +4.7% | $22,202 | $15,080 – $54,720 | 40 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craft Artist | $46,080 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $75,240 | Bachelor's degree | +1.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators make?
The national median salary for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators is $55,490 a year ($26.68 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,630 and the top 10% earn over $144,210. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators the most?
Oregon has the highest median pay at $98,540.
How many fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators are there in the U.S.?
About 11,220 people work as fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators nationwide.