Artist Average Salary & Hourly Rate in 2025

Artist Average Salary & Hourly Rate in 2025

An artist makes use of a variety of materials and techniques to create original works of art that could be put up for sale, exhibition, and other industry functions. For 2025, the average annual salary for artists in the United States is $58,845.

Artist salaries may vary depending on key factors such as education level, experience, geographic location, skills, and demand. In the following sections, this guide will provide an overview of artist salaries and a detailed outline of their job responsibilities, job outlook, and career trends for the coming years.

An Overview of Artist Salaries

The average salary for artists in the United States for 2025 is $58,845 per year, or $28.29 per hour, which is 3.6% higher compared to the 2024 annual salary of $56,800. Salaries for artists typically range between $45,719 and $78,197, with most earning $51,000 to $68,000, according to the recent data of Salary.com.

Percentile Average Annual Salary
10% Percentile $45,719
25% Percentile $51,000
50% Percentile (median) $56,800
75% Percentile $68,000
90% Percentile $78,197

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that salary for artists vary depending on which industries they work in. For instance, artists working for the federal government can earn up to $105,640, while those working independently can only typically earn $45,970.

  • Federal Government (Excluding Postal Service): $105,640 per year
  • Motion Picture and Sound Recording: $95,590 per year
  • Personal Care Services: $49,170 per year
  • Independent Artists: $45,970 per year

Artist Salary: Hourly, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Breakdown

The average artist's salary can be broken down into hourly, weekly, monthly, and yearly amounts. According to Salary.com, the average rate for artists in the United States is $27 per hour or $4,733 per month.

  • Average salary per hour: $27
  • Average salary per week: $1,092
  • Average salary per month: $4,733
  • Average salary per year: $56,800

As previously noted, artists in the United States will find that their salary may vary due to key factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and education. These factors will be explored in detail below.

How Experience Impacts Artist Salaries

Aside from an artist's life works and art school background, his level of experience also plays a vital role in increasing his salary. As shown in the list below, there are notable salary differences across various experience levels of artists in the United States.

Based on the Salary.com data, the difference between an entry-level artist salary and an expert-level artist salary is around $4,100. This also shows a significant gap between the salaries of an intermediate-level artist and a senior-level artist with $56,831 and $59,316, respectively.

  • Entry-Level Artist Salary: $56,067
  • Intermediate-Level Artist Salary: $56,831
  • Senior-Level Artist Salary: $59,316
  • Specialist-Level Artist Salary: $59,813
  • Expert-Level Artist Salary: $60,145

State-by-State Breakdown of Average Salaries for Artist

It can also be noted that each US state has different average salaries for artists due to key factors such as cost of living, industry performance, and demand.

Based on the Salary.com data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average annual salary for artists in the United States at $63,200. The next ones are California and New Jersey both with $62,200 per year.

State Average Salary
Alaska $61,800
Alabama $52,200
Arkansas $51,700
Arizona $55,300
California $62,600
Colorado $57,900
Connecticut $61,000
District of Columbia $63,200
Delaware $57,600
Florida $53,900
Georgia $54,900
Hawaii $59,300
Iowa $54,300
Idaho $53,000
Illinois $58,100
Indiana $55,100
Kansas $54,000
Kentucky $53,400
Louisiana $54,000
Massachusetts $61,800
Maryland $58,500
Maine $55,200
Michigan $56,000
Minnesota $58,100
Missouri $54,100
Mississippi $50,600
Montana $53,000
North Carolina $54,500
North Dakota $56,200
Nebraska $53,500
New Hampshire $57,700
New Jersey $62,200
New Mexico $52,300
Nevada $57,000
New York $60,500
Ohio $55,500
Oklahoma $52,500
Oregon $57,700
Pennsylvania $56,700
Rhode Island $59,300
South Carolina $53,600
South Dakota $51,000
Tennessee $52,600
Texas $55,600
Utah $54,000
Virginia $56,900
Vermont $55,700
Washington $61,200
Wisconsin $56,100
West Virginia $51,100

Artist Salaries: Top Earning Cities Revealed

The Salary.com data reveals that the top three paying cities for artists in the United States are San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland, all in the state of California.

Top Paying Cities Average Salary
San Jose, CA $71,200
San Francisco, CA $70,900
Oakland, CA $69,200
New York, NY $66,300
Queens Village, NY $65,800
Paramus, NJ $65,400
Passaic, NJ $65,300
Bergenfield, NJ $65,300
Stamford, CT $65,200
Huntington, NY $64,700

Explore Artist Benefits and Perks Beyond Salary

In addition to their salary, artists receive a range of benefits and rewards. According to data from Salary.com, the total compensation for artists includes benefits such as Social Security and 401(k)/403(b) plans.

  • Social Security
  • 401K/403B plans
  • Disability insurance
  • Healthcare
  • Pension plan
  • Time Off (PTO)

Artist Job Description: Roles and Responsibilities

An artist’s primary tasks and responsibilities cover a wide range of specializations depending on the industry he belongs to. It could be fine arts, painting, sculpting, furniture making, tattoos, glass, and many more.

The main thing is that an artist makes use of a variety of materials and techniques to create original works of art to put up for sale, exhibition, and other industry functions. The job description of an artist includes the following:

  • Use different artistic techniques to complete an art such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and more.
  • Apply visual techniques including color, composition, contrast, and space to achieve an art’s desired effects.
  • Decide which material to use on a project based on color, texture, and budget.
  • Develop a strong portfolio highlighting his works of art to potential clients.
  • Compose an application or grant proposal to obtain financial support for future projects.

When and How to Ask for a Raise as an Artist

As an artist, one of your most important roles is to drive sales and revenue into the business by selling artworks, conducting exhibits, and providing other artistic services. Here is a step-by-step process to follow to ask for a raise:

  1. Solidify your ground: Develop a strong portfolio or performance report presenting the best artworks and events you have created throughout your stay in the company. Make sure to highlight those projects that drove revenue into the company.
  2. Find the perfect timing: Ask for a raise during desirable instances like after a big sale, or achievement, or during performance reviews when the company is doing extremely well. Make sure to avoid asking for a raise during tough financial times.
  3. Ask for a formal meeting: Schedule a meeting with your managers and employers. This gives a more formal and serious sense to the conversation, showing that you have prepared enough to deserve a raise.
  4. Make a clear and confident presentation: Discuss the value you bring to the company and make sure to mention key achievements such as big sales, successful events, and huge clients you have landed. Be clear about your salary expectations and always keep a positive mindset.

Why Does an Artist Make So Much?

An artist can receive a good salary because he plays an important role in driving revenue to a company through his original artworks, exhibits, and other artistic services. Moreover, securing huge clients and sponsors is also beneficial to the overall financial growth of the organization.

This requires an artist to gain the necessary abilities to hone his creativity, business, and interpersonal skills. According to BLS, these are the important qualities that an artist should have:

  • Artistic ability
  • Business skills
  • Creativity
  • Dexterity
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Personal skills

Moreover, there are certain skills and certifications that can increase the earning potential of an artist. According to the Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Solution, artists with illustration and typography skills can earn up to 12.56% and 11.95% more, respectively.

Other high compensation skills include:

  • Illustration: +12.56% salary increase
  • Typography: +11.95% salary increase
  • Digital Media: +7.54% salary increase
  • Photography: +6.99% salary increase
  • Product Branding: +6.94% salary increase
  • Graphic Design: +6.55% salary increase
  • Advertising: 6.43% salary increase
  • Presentation Software: 5.20% salary increase

The Future of Artists: Job Outlook and Career Trends

Based on the report of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for artists is projected to grow by 3 percent from 2023 to 2033. This translates to about 4,900 job openings each year, mainly due to artists retiring or switching professions.

The employment growth for artists largely depends on the state of the US economy. Good economic times translate into more revenue for artists while bad economy means the opposite. Another challenge is the rise of cheap and machine-produced art which affects the sales of authentic handmade artworks, especially of fine artists.

Dec 26, 2024

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