Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (SOC 27-1013) earn a median $55,490 a year ($26.68 an hour) in the United States, with 11,220 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Oregon.
What fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators do
Fine artists make original artwork in a wide variety of media and with many techniques, using materials such as pen and ink, watercolor, charcoal, oil paint, or computer software. Alternate titles show the range, from book illustrator and animated cartoons painter to 3D artist, balloon artist, and blacksmith. They bring together visual elements such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective to convey ideas, emotions, or moods, and keep portfolios that show their styles, interests, and abilities. They consult with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and others about projects, promote their artwork through brochures, mailings, or websites, and photograph objects, places, or scenes as references. They also study different techniques and monitor events and trends relevant to their subject areas. Craft artists, who make functional handmade objects, and graphic designers are counted in separate occupations.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most commonly reported level of education for this occupation is some college coursework.
Also called: 3D Artist, Animated Cartoons Painter, Artist, Automotive Artist, Balloon Artist.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $15.21 | $18.06 | $26.68 | $40.00 | $69.33 | $35.17 | 11,220 |
| Annual | $31,630 | $37,560 | $55,490 | $83,200 | $144,210 | $73,150 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $26.51 | $34.91 | $47.38 | $47.38 | $72.61 | $45.70 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $55,140 | $72,600 | $98,540 | $98,540 | $151,020 | $95,050 | ||||
| Nevada | Hourly | $18.78 | $21.03 | $39.25 | $39.80 | $45.61 | $32.97 | 160 | 0.10 | 1.40 |
| Annual | $39,070 | $43,750 | $81,630 | $82,790 | $94,860 | $68,580 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $24.04 | $30.18 | $37.92 | $57.69 | $74.34 | $43.58 | 1,400 | 0.15 | 2.00 |
| Annual | $50,010 | $62,780 | $78,870 | $119,990 | $154,630 | $90,650 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $18.62 | $19.87 | $34.82 | $48.81 | $57.77 | $36.54 | 350 | 0.10 | 1.38 |
| Annual | $38,730 | $41,320 | $72,430 | $101,530 | $120,160 | $76,000 | ||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $18.93 | $27.00 | $34.24 | $40.63 | $48.61 | $35.50 | 100 | 0.06 | 0.84 |
| Annual | $39,380 | $56,160 | $71,210 | $84,520 | $101,110 | $73,830 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $17.45 | $18.06 | $28.00 | $74.30 | $99.67 | $50.28 | 2,560 | 0.14 | 1.94 |
| Annual | $36,300 | $37,560 | $58,240 | $154,540 | $207,320 | $104,570 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $24.04 | $30.18 | $37.92 | $57.69 | $74.34 | $43.58 | 1,400 | 0.15 | 2.00 |
| Annual | $50,010 | $62,780 | $78,870 | $119,990 | $154,630 | $90,650 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $14.98 | $19.33 | $24.21 | $37.71 | $64.50 | $30.62 | 1,010 | 0.10 | 1.40 |
| Annual | $31,160 | $40,200 | $50,360 | $78,430 | $134,150 | $63,690 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $8.60 | $17.75 | $23.87 | $31.16 | $37.20 | $25.68 | 700 | 0.05 | 0.69 |
| Annual | $17,880 | $36,920 | $49,650 | $64,820 | $77,380 | $53,410 | ||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $10.99 | $11.63 | $15.28 | $21.04 | $30.65 | $18.18 | 510 | 0.09 | 1.26 |
| Annual | $22,860 | $24,190 | $31,780 | $43,750 | $63,750 | $37,820 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $19.83 | $20.53 | $60.80 | $79.99 | $81.04 | $55.31 | 450 | 0.19 | 2.61 |
| Annual | $41,250 | $42,710 | $126,470 | $166,380 | $168,560 | $115,040 | ||||
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Hourly | $26.00 | $33.10 | $47.38 | $47.38 | $58.15 | $44.85 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $54,080 | $68,860 | $98,540 | $98,540 | $120,950 | $93,290 | ||||
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | Hourly | $27.00 | $27.00 | $40.23 | $52.59 | $52.59 | $39.95 | 30 | 0.20 | 2.76 |
| Annual | $56,160 | $56,160 | $83,670 | $109,380 | $109,380 | $83,100 | ||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $20.69 | $27.64 | $39.70 | $50.13 | $63.89 | $41.92 | 250 | 0.12 | 1.64 |
| Annual | $43,040 | $57,500 | $82,580 | $104,260 | $132,890 | $87,190 | ||||
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | Hourly | $23.50 | $30.18 | $38.49 | $58.90 | $66.44 | $43.56 | 40 | 0.08 | 1.12 |
| Annual | $48,880 | $62,780 | $80,070 | $122,510 | $138,200 | $90,610 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 1,270 | 0.20 | 2.81 |
| Annual | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $19.83 | $20.53 | $60.80 | $79.99 | $81.04 | $55.31 | 450 | 0.19 | 2.61 |
| Annual | $41,250 | $42,710 | $126,470 | $166,380 | $168,560 | $115,040 | ||||
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | Hourly | $15.20 | $22.07 | $32.76 | $64.50 | $64.50 | $37.87 | 330 | 0.12 | 1.61 |
| Annual | $31,620 | $45,900 | $68,140 | $134,150 | $134,150 | $78,780 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $8.32 | $16.93 | $26.68 | $26.68 | $34.91 | $24.09 | 260 | 0.08 | 1.10 |
| Annual | $17,300 | $35,210 | $55,490 | $55,490 | $72,620 | $50,100 | ||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $20.69 | $27.64 | $39.70 | $50.13 | $63.89 | $41.92 | 250 | 0.12 | 1.64 |
| Annual | $43,040 | $57,500 | $82,580 | $104,260 | $132,890 | $87,190 | ||||
Top industries employing fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers employ 28.1% of fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators nationally (3,150 jobs) at a median $49,650 a year ($23.87 an hour), followed by Motion Picture and Video Industries (7.5%) and Other Miscellaneous Retailers (6.9%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers NAICS 711500 | 3,150 | 28.1% | $49,650 | $23.87 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries NAICS 512100 | 840 | 7.5% | $154,570 | $74.31 |
| Other Miscellaneous Retailers NAICS 459900 | 770 | 6.9% | * | * |
| Software Publishers NAICS 513200 | 610 | 5.4% | $124,130 | $59.68 |
| Performing Arts Companies NAICS 711100 | 550 | 4.9% | $55,490 | $26.68 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (11,220). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $60,820 for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators in May 2021 and $55,490 in May 2025, with employment of 9,430 and 11,220.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $60,820 | $29.24 | 9,430 |
| May 2022 | $57,560 | $27.67 | 12,080 |
| May 2023 | $59,300 | $28.51 | 10,910 |
| May 2024 | $60,560 | $29.12 | 10,000 |
| May 2025 | $55,490 | $26.68 | 11,220 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
36 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon profile | $47.38 | $98,540 | $55,140 | $151,020 | ** | ** | ** |
| 2 | Nevada profile | $39.25 | $81,630 | $39,070 | $94,860 | 160 | 0.10 | 1.40 |
| 3 | New York profile | $37.92 | $78,870 | $50,010 | $154,630 | 1,400 | 0.15 | 2.00 |
| 4 | Washington profile | $34.82 | $72,430 | $38,730 | $120,160 | 350 | 0.10 | 1.38 |
| 5 | Connecticut profile | $34.24 | $71,210 | $39,380 | $101,110 | 100 | 0.06 | 0.84 |
| 6 | Maryland profile | $31.82 | $66,180 | $43,830 | $78,250 | 80 | 0.03 | 0.41 |
| 7 | Georgia profile | $31.25 | $65,010 | $40,530 | $94,130 | 350 | 0.07 | 0.98 |
| 8 | New Mexico profile | $30.33 | $63,090 | $41,520 | $79,610 | 70 | 0.08 | 1.04 |
| 9 | Minnesota profile | $29.68 | $61,730 | $42,680 | $104,000 | ** | ** | ** |
| 10 | California profile | $28.00 | $58,240 | $36,300 | $207,320 | 2,560 | 0.14 | 1.94 |
| 11 | Utah profile | $27.54 | $57,270 | $34,290 | $96,100 | 80 | 0.05 | 0.68 |
| 12 | Arizona profile | $27.00 | $56,160 | $34,310 | $97,240 | 110 | 0.03 | 0.46 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania profile | $26.09 | $54,270 | $22,360 | $102,920 | ** | ** | ** |
| 14 | Illinois profile | $25.89 | $53,850 | $32,720 | $99,630 | ** | ** | ** |
| 15 | Wisconsin profile | $25.65 | $53,350 | $21,590 | $81,410 | 100 | 0.03 | 0.46 |
| 16 | Colorado profile | $24.96 | $51,910 | $43,040 | $102,120 | 250 | 0.09 | 1.22 |
| 17 | Florida profile | $24.21 | $50,360 | $31,160 | $134,150 | 1,010 | 0.10 | 1.40 |
| 18 | Missouri profile | $23.95 | $49,820 | $31,770 | $71,080 | 110 | 0.04 | 0.52 |
| 19 | Texas profile | $23.87 | $49,650 | $17,880 | $77,380 | 700 | 0.05 | 0.69 |
| 20 | Kentucky profile | $23.10 | $48,050 | $22,750 | $65,360 | 60 | 0.03 | 0.41 |
| 21 | Virginia profile | $23.04 | $47,930 | $29,640 | $87,400 | 230 | 0.06 | 0.77 |
| 22 | Oklahoma profile | $23.00 | $47,830 | $45,060 | $89,480 | 60 | 0.04 | 0.49 |
| 23 | Maine profile | $22.20 | $46,170 | $38,100 | $73,330 | ** | ** | ** |
| 24 | Louisiana profile | $19.57 | $40,700 | $32,320 | $74,550 | ** | ** | ** |
| 25 | Nebraska profile | $19.14 | $39,800 | $31,200 | $66,900 | 40 | 0.04 | 0.52 |
| 26 | Michigan profile | $18.58 | $38,650 | $25,960 | $124,480 | 220 | 0.05 | 0.68 |
| 27 | Arkansas profile | $15.55 | $32,340 | $27,370 | $60,790 | 40 | 0.03 | 0.38 |
| 28 | Ohio profile | $15.28 | $31,780 | $22,860 | $63,750 | 510 | 0.09 | 1.26 |
| 29 | Tennessee profile | $14.77 | $30,720 | $27,670 | $58,770 | 100 | 0.03 | 0.42 |
| 30 | Kansas profile | $12.42 | $25,830 | $15,080 | $54,720 | 40 | 0.03 | 0.40 |
| – | Indiana profile | * | * | * | * | 210 | 0.06 | 0.89 |
| – | Massachusetts profile | * | * | * | * | 140 | 0.04 | 0.53 |
| – | Montana profile | * | * | * | * | 50 | 0.10 | 1.39 |
| – | New Jersey profile | * | * | * | * | 310 | 0.07 | 1.01 |
| – | North Carolina profile | * | * | * | * | 390 | 0.08 | 1.08 |
| – | South Carolina profile | * | * | * | * | 160 | 0.07 | 0.98 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (27-1010), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 27-1013 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked. A withheld or top-coded median in that table shows the marker explained above.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 27-1013, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 27-1013.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.