Artists and Related Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Artists and Related Workers Make?
Artists and Related Workers earn a median annual salary of $72,760 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $33,720 at the 10th percentile to $133,180 at the 90th percentile — a range of $99,460. The highest-paying state is Maryland at $121,890.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,720 |
| 25th percentile | $44,760 |
| Median (50th) | $72,760 |
| 75th percentile | $112,420 |
| 90th percentile | $133,180 |
Artists and Related Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Marylandtop | $121,890 |
| Georgia | $116,560 |
| Virginia | $107,580 |
| Washington | $84,470 |
| Massachusetts | $79,560 |
| California | $77,800 |
| Kentucky | $77,660 |
| Hawaii | $76,960 |
| North Carolina | $71,380 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,430 |
| Louisiana | $69,890 |
| Ohio | $68,850 |
| Oregon | $66,560 |
| Connecticut | $65,790 |
| New Jersey | $62,500 |
| Missouri | $59,950 |
| Utah | $59,950 |
| Colorado | $59,250 |
| Alaska | $55,370 |
| New York | $54,610 |
| Indiana | $49,150 |
| Michigan | $48,620 |
| Tennessee | $45,700 |
| Florida | $44,930 |
| Arizona | $40,270 |
| Wisconsin | $39,560 |
| Texas | $38,050 |
| Minnesota | $36,630 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Artists and Related Workers
Artists and Related Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$33,720 – $44,760 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$72,760 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$112,420 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $133,180+ |
How to Earn More as an Artists and Related Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Artists and Related Workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earn $122,320 — $49,560 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($112,420) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 27-1019.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.