How much does a artist make?
Answer: A typical artist in the United States makes $71,240 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 7,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Artist pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,580 | $71,240 | $136,660 | about 7,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experienced artists with skills clients want or a recognizable style may earn more; some specialties, such as tattooing, also require a state license. Pay differs by employer and location, and freelance income can change with the number of projects booked.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a artist do?
All artists and related workers not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
The day depends on the specialty: an artist may sketch, test colors or materials, then make a piece at home or in a studio. A tattoo artist may plan a design with a client and use sterilized tools.
How to get this job
In the US, practice, take art classes, and build a portfolio; college can help, but this broad job has no single school route. Some specialties, such as tattooing, require state-specific safety training or a license.
Did you know?
In 2013, over 60% of U.S. workers with a second job as an artist were self-employed—many were their own bosses!
Earn more in the same field
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes271019.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/demo/guidance/industry-occupation/soc_2018_defi
- www.arts.gov/impact/research/arts-data-profile-series/adp-3/sample-findings
- www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/pdf/Tattoo-law.pdf
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY