How much does a craft artist make?
The median craft artist in the United States earns $46,080 per year, about $22.15 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all craft artists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-1012.
Craft artist salary range
Pay for craft artists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $25,960 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $71,990. The average (mean) wage of $49,740 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $25,960 | $12.48 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,020 | $16.84 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,080 | $22.15 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 | |
| 90th percentile | $71,990 | $34.61 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for craft artists (SOC 27-1012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Craft artist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Craft artists earn the most in California at $100,540 a year, and the least in Michigan at $25,960. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $100,540 | 170 |
| Missouri | $61,780 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $58,650 | 190 |
| Texas | $54,690 | 870 |
| Maine | $53,380 | 50 |
| Oregon | $51,060 | 170 |
| New York | $49,020 | 50 |
| Georgia | $48,880 | N/A |
| Florida | $48,710 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $47,660 | 50 |
| Arizona | $46,300 | N/A |
| Washington | $44,120 | 80 |
| Colorado | $43,620 | N/A |
| Illinois | $43,040 | N/A |
| Alaska | $41,600 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $41,600 | 230 |
| Alabama | $40,800 | 70 |
| Ohio | $38,070 | 180 |
| South Carolina | $35,050 | 70 |
| Connecticut | $34,010 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $32,830 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $27,560 | 140 |
| Michigan | $25,960 | 290 |
State median wages for craft artists (SOC 27-1012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for craft artists
The BLS projects employment of craft artists to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 11,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 11,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for craft artists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a craft artist
The typical entry-level education for craft artists is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a craft artist earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $100,540) and the lowest (Michigan, $25,960) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 4,580 people work as craft artists in the United States. At $46,080 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Craft artist salary FAQ
How much does a craft artist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a craft artist is $22.15. The middle half of craft artists earn between $16.84 and $28.00 per hour.
What is the highest craft artist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of craft artists earn more than $71,990 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a craft artist make a year?
The median annual salary for a craft artist is $46,080. The average (mean) wage of $49,740 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a craft artist a well paid job?
At $46,080 a year, a craft artist earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 4,580 people work as craft artists in the United States.
Which state pays craft artists the most?
California has the highest median salary for craft artists at $100,540 a year. Missouri ($61,780) and Wisconsin ($58,650) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a craft artist a good career?
Employment of craft artists is projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a craft artist?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for craft artists as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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