How much does an arts professor make?
a year · about $38 an hour
A typical arts professor in the United States makes $78,620 a year, about $38 an hour, about 1.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
In a studio, practice room, or lecture hall, an arts professor demonstrates techniques and coaches students on artwork, music, or performances. They may also grade projects, advise students, prepare lessons, and do research.
Did you know? An arts professor may even maintain or repair studio facilities—O*NET lists this as one of the occupation’s tasks.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $47,570 and $163,350How do you become one?
Earn a bachelor’s in art, music, or drama, then usually go to graduate school; four-year colleges typically want a doctorate, while some community-college or part-time jobs accept a master’s. Build field experience and try teaching as a graduate assistant.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and creating
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, earnings can differ with experience, responsibilities, tenure, and location. The employer matters too: colleges, universities, and professional schools generally pay more than community colleges, and full-time versus part-time hours affect total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($99,410), lowest in Mississippi ($60,580).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $47,570 | $78,620 | $163,350 | about 94,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $99,410 | about 10,000 |
| New York | $98,850 | about 15,000 |
| Massachusetts | $85,820 | about 5,000 |
| Maryland | $85,590 | about 1,000 |
| Michigan | $82,990 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1121.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes251121.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY