How much does an Artist make?

The national average salary for an Artist is $41,578 per year in United States. Filter by location to see an Artist salaries in your area. Salaries estimates are based on 3360 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Artist employees.

The highest salary for an Artist in United States is $66,995 per year.

The lowest salary for an Artist in United States is $25,804 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Artist or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Artist.

Artists wages vary greatly. Median wages are similar to that of other creative and entertainment professions such as modeling or floral design. The most successful artists earn seven figures in a few days by selling their creations, whether musical acts or paintings, to fans. The role allows for a high degree of creativity and personal expression. Artists can increase their wages by teaching lessons to prospective artists, either as a freelancer or as an employee of a formal school.

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According to Glassdoor ratings, about 65% of artists consider their salary satisfactory. Choosing a niche and creating a quality portfolio helps qualify an artist's salary as good, while up to $2,928.80 in additional potential pay bolsters the total for artists of all experience levels.

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Following Glassdoor's artist career path, the average professional in the field earns $44,511.48. The total pay range of artists is vast, ranging from a minimum of $27,503.89 to a max of $72,366.36. After proving their worth to their employers, artists can move to a more senior role, which often comes with a pay raise and a higher ceiling on their salary.

Learn more about negotiating salaries from thousands of other real professionals

If you want to earn a higher salary as an artist, consider specializing in at least one niche. These include classics such as painting, drawing, and sculpting, in addition to modern-day offerings like photography, graphic design, textile arts, and mixed media. Create the best portfolio you can and update it regularly to help spread the word about your work, then use it as a marketing tool to gain valuable freelance, contract, and commission-based work. Master-level classes and mentorships from professional artists also boost earnings, as do marketable skills including Photoshop, Maya, VFX, illustration, rendering, and Adobe Creative Suite. The more arts-related skills you master, the higher your earning potential.

Once you reach the salary negotiation stage, your portfolio becomes a powerful bargaining tool. Whether you're new to the field or have decades of experience, your portfolio is the top way to show employers your potential, so tailor it for the role you want. If you're seeking an artist job as a nature photographer, for instance, your work should focus on nature as much as possible and demonstrate the highest level of skill and technique in your arsenal. Emphasize your knowledge, experience, skills, and passion for your craft. Use words like "market," "value," and "opportunity" to emphasize the value your distinct skills bring to potential employers.