Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 50 | $43,700 | $21.01 | |
| Arizona | 80 | $45,590 | $21.92 | |
| California | 1,280 | $65,660 | $31.57 | |
| Colorado | 200 | $50,040 | $24.06 | |
| Connecticut | 60 | $107,140 | $51.51 | |
| Florida | 400 | $55,150 | $26.51 | |
| Georgia | 650 | $63,480 | $30.52 | |
| Illinois | 160 | $59,000 | $28.37 | |
| Indiana | 90 | $55,560 | $26.71 | |
| Kentucky | 40 | $31,830 | $15.30 | |
| Louisiana | 180 | $38,310 | $18.42 | |
| Maryland | $66,370 | $31.91 | ||
| Massachusetts | 270 | $62,950 | $30.26 | |
| Minnesota | 90 | $72,820 | $35.01 | |
| Mississippi | 30 | $28,310 | $13.61 | |
| Nebraska | $61,910 | $29.76 | ||
| New Hampshire | $42,580 | $20.47 | ||
| New Jersey | 190 | $81,830 | $39.34 | |
| New Mexico | 40 | $45,250 | $21.76 | |
| New York | $120,510 | $57.94 | ||
| North Carolina | 120 | $45,330 | $21.79 | |
| Ohio | 380 | $41,230 | $19.82 | |
| Oklahoma | 50 | $45,330 | $21.79 | |
| Oregon | 100 | $69,470 | $33.40 | |
| Tennessee | 120 | $38,900 | $18.70 | |
| Texas | 930 | $27,250 | $13.10 | |
| Utah | 160 | $65,050 | $31.28 | |
| Virginia | 160 | $47,100 | $22.65 | |
| Washington | 270 | $67,000 | $32.21 | |
| Wisconsin | 140 | $42,540 | $20.45 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the visual and performing arts and that may prepare individuals in any of the visual artistic media or performing disciplines.
A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of the visual arts. Includes instruction in art, photography, and other visual communications media.
A program that prepares individuals to generally function as creative artists in the visual and plastic media. Includes instruction in the traditional fine arts media (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, CAD/CAM) and/or modern media (ceramics, textiles, intermedia, photography, digital images), theory of art, color theory, composition and perspective, anatomy, the techniques and procedures for maintaining equipment and managing a studio, and art portfolio marketing.
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions through representation by lines made on a surface. Includes instruction in eye-hand coordination; line, value, shape, and perspective; figure and still life drawing; the use of media such as pen and ink, pencil, charcoal, pastel, and brush; and personal style development.
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions in either two or three dimensions, through simultaneous use of a variety of materials and media.
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by the application of paints and related chemical color substances to canvases or other materials. Includes instruction in color and color mixing, surface preparation, composition, oil and acrylic media, watercolor media, painting techniques, and personal style development.
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by creating three-dimensional art works. Includes instruction in the analysis of form in space; round and relief concepts; sculptural composition; modern and experimental methods; different media such as clay, plaster, wood, stone, and metal; techniques such as carving, molding, welding, casting, and modeling; and personal style development.
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by rendering art concepts onto surfaces and transferring images, via ink or dyes, onto paper or fabric. Includes instruction in monochrome and color printing; tonality; chemistry; equipment set-up and maintenance; techniques such as serigraphy, lithography, intaglio, woodcut, block, stencil, relief, etching, and composite; and personal style development.
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by producing art works out of clay and similar materials. Includes instruction in handbuilt and wheelthrown techniques; molding; slips and glazes; trimming and decorating; firing and kiln operation; oxidation; mixed media; ceramic murals; and personal style development.
Any instructional program in fine arts and art studies not listed above.
A program that focuses on using the arts to promote activism, civic dialog, community development, ecological and environmental awareness, or social justice. Includes instruction in community organizing, cultural criticism, social practice, studio art, and visual and performing arts.
A program that prepares individuals to apply the principles and techniques of art and computer-assisted imaging, graphics, and animation to create visual materials to facilitate the recording and dissemination of biomedical knowledge for educational, research, and clinical purposes. Includes instruction in anatomy, physiology, pathology, histology, embryology, neuroanatomy, medical terminology, artistic media and techniques, illustration techniques, three-dimensional modeling, prosthetics, data display design, exhibit design and production, medical photography, multimedia, computer graphics and animation, digital imaging, business management, production technology, and instructional design.
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$69,010 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
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Long-term on-the-job trainingTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators.
- Less than high school 3%
- High school graduate 12%
- College dropout 19%
- Associate’s degree 8%
- Bachelor’s degree 44%
- Master’s degree 13%
- Doctorate degree 2%
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