Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary by state
What Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustratorss do
Typical education: Some College Courses
Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
Top skills:Critical ThinkingActive LearningActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision Making
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators pay by experience level
Entry level$32,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$39,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$57,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$86,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$149,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-1.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
2,200
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary by industry
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
3,820 workers
$67,500
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
3,150 workers
$63,000
Educational Services
880 workers
$56,000
Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries
840 workers
$182,500
Motion Picture and Video Industries
840 workers
$182,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
780 workers
$71,500
Publishing Industries
770 workers
$117,500
Educational Services, Privately Owned
770 workers
$54,500
Software Publishers
610 workers
$130,500
Performing Arts Companies
550 workers
$77,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators pays 14% below the average across 45 roles in the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family (family average $88,500).
Similar-paying roles in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators make?
The average base salary for a Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in the United States is $76,000 per year, or about $36.54 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $39,000 and $86,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media roles?
The Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family averages $88,500 across 45 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
