How much does a fine artist make?
The median fine artist in the United States earns $55,490 per year, about $26.68 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all fine artists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-1013.
Fine artist salary range
Pay for fine artists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,630 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $144,210. The average (mean) wage of $73,150 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 | $31,630 | $15.21 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,560 | $18.06 | |
| Median (50th) | $55,490 | $26.68 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $83,200 | $40.00 | |
| 90th percentile | $144,210 | $69.33 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators (SOC 27-1013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Fine artist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Fine artists earn the most in Oregon at $98,540 a year, and the least in Kansas at $25,830. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $98,540 | N/A |
| Nevada | $81,630 | 160 |
| New York | $78,870 | 1,400 |
| Washington | $72,430 | 350 |
| Connecticut | $71,210 | 100 |
| Maryland | $66,180 | 80 |
| Georgia | $65,010 | 350 |
| New Mexico | $63,090 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $61,730 | N/A |
| California | $58,240 | 2,560 |
| Utah | $57,270 | 80 |
| Arizona | $56,160 | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,270 | N/A |
| Illinois | $53,850 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $53,350 | 100 |
| Colorado | $51,910 | 250 |
| Florida | $50,360 | 1,010 |
| Missouri | $49,820 | 110 |
| Texas | $49,650 | 700 |
| Kentucky | $48,050 | 60 |
| Virginia | $47,930 | 230 |
| Oklahoma | $47,830 | 60 |
| Maine | $46,170 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $40,700 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $39,800 | 40 |
| Michigan | $38,650 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $32,340 | 40 |
| Ohio | $31,780 | 510 |
| Tennessee | $30,720 | 100 |
| Kansas | $25,830 | 40 |
State median wages for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators (SOC 27-1013), 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 fine artists
The BLS projects employment of fine artists to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 2.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 28,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 28,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,200 openings a year for fine 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 fine artist
The typical entry-level education for fine artists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a fine 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 (Oregon, $98,540) and the lowest (Kansas, $25,830) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 11,220 people work as fine artists in the United States. At $55,490 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Fine artist salary FAQ
How much does a fine artist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a fine artist is $26.68. The middle half of fine artists earn between $18.06 and $40.00 per hour.
What is the highest fine artist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of fine artists earn more than $144,210 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a fine artist make a year?
The median annual salary for a fine artist is $55,490. The average (mean) wage of $73,150 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 fine artist a well paid job?
At $55,490 a year, a fine artist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 11,220 people work as fine artists in the United States.
Which state pays fine artists the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for fine artists at $98,540 a year. Nevada ($81,630) and New York ($78,870) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a fine artist a good career?
Employment of fine artists is projected to shrink 2.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a fine artist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for fine artists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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