How much does an artist make?
a year · about $27 an hour
A typical artist in the United States makes $55,490 a year, about $27 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
In a studio, an artist sketches ideas, paints with oils or works digitally, or shapes clay and carves wood. They may talk with a client, revise a piece, update their portfolio, and prepare art for a gallery or online sale.
Did you know? Surprise: In an O*NET survey, 68% of fine artists said they usually work fewer than 40 hours a week.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $31,630 and $144,210How do you become one?
Many U.S. artists study fine arts in college, practice, and build a portfolio; a bachelor’s degree is common. Studio artists have no standard entry exam listed, but public-school art teachers usually need a teaching certificate.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like creating and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and reputation matter: beginners may charge little, while well-established artists can earn more; a sought-after specialty can help build regular clients. Pay also changes with employer or clients, location, and hours—some artists work part time or add hours near deadlines, and public-school art teachers need a certificate.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Oregon ($98,540), lowest in Kansas ($25,830).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Kids' questions
In Japan, a artist averages $32,815. Artist salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $31,630 | $55,490 | $144,210 | about 11,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $98,540 | — |
| Nevada | $81,630 | about 160 |
| New York | $78,870 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $72,430 | about 350 |
| Connecticut | $71,210 | about 100 |
Official definition: Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
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.onetonline.org/link/details/27-1013.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY