Craft Artist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Craft Artists Make?
Craft Artists earn a median annual salary of $38,480 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $22,620 at the 10th percentile to $65,850 at the 90th percentile — a range of $43,230. The highest-paying state is Maryland at $67,060.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,620 |
| 25th percentile | $31,350 |
| Median (50th) | $38,480 |
| 75th percentile | $52,070 |
| 90th percentile | $65,850 |
Craft Artist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Marylandtop | $67,060 |
| California | $59,980 |
| Missouri | $58,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,000 |
| Texas | $52,000 |
| New York | $48,580 |
| Wisconsin | $47,990 |
| Florida | $46,810 |
| North Carolina | $46,540 |
| Massachusetts | $44,610 |
| Washington | $43,380 |
| Colorado | $40,190 |
| Kentucky | $38,890 |
| Oregon | $38,590 |
| Maine | $37,920 |
| Tennessee | $37,570 |
| Ohio | $36,430 |
| Nevada | $36,400 |
| Virginia | $35,300 |
| Alabama | $35,090 |
| Indiana | $34,130 |
| Georgia | $34,040 |
| Connecticut | $32,640 |
| Iowa | $32,600 |
| Nebraska | $32,300 |
| Minnesota | $31,980 |
| Illinois | $31,960 |
| South Carolina | $31,510 |
| Louisiana | $30,580 |
| Arizona | $29,950 |
| Michigan | $26,640 |
| Utah | $20,030 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Craft Artists
Craft Artist 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) | ~$22,620 – $31,350 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$38,480 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$52,070 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $65,850+ |
How to Earn More as a Craft Artist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Craft Artists in California earn $59,980 — $21,500 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 ($52,070) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Craft Artist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Craft Artistthis career | $38,480 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrator | $60,560 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $79,450 |
| Fashion Designer | $80,690 |
| Graphic Designer | $61,300 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 27-1012.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.