Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Make?
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn a median annual salary of $60,560 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $26,420 at the 10th percentile to $140,660 at the 90th percentile — a range of $114,240. The highest-paying state is California at $140,080.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $26,420 |
| 25th percentile | $39,740 |
| Median (50th) | $60,560 |
| 75th percentile | $89,630 |
| 90th percentile | $140,660 |
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $140,080 |
| Massachusetts | $83,530 |
| Indiana | $79,280 |
| New York | $78,690 |
| Washington | $78,370 |
| Colorado | $74,010 |
| South Carolina | $72,990 |
| Connecticut | $72,860 |
| Maryland | $72,750 |
| Minnesota | $63,730 |
| Arizona | $63,380 |
| Oregon | $63,380 |
| New Jersey | $62,680 |
| Georgia | $61,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,370 |
| Virginia | $58,960 |
| Wisconsin | $57,770 |
| Illinois | $53,820 |
| Nevada | $53,200 |
| Alabama | $52,270 |
| Missouri | $52,000 |
| Florida | $48,490 |
| Tennessee | $47,580 |
| Oklahoma | $45,190 |
| North Carolina | $44,920 |
| Maine | $44,700 |
| Idaho | $43,850 |
| Utah | $43,680 |
| New Mexico | $43,250 |
| Nebraska | $42,730 |
| Iowa | $38,930 |
| Kentucky | $38,500 |
| Michigan | $35,080 |
| New Hampshire | $34,600 |
| Texas | $34,600 |
| Louisiana | $32,390 |
| Ohio | $31,200 |
| Kansas | $24,670 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrator 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) | ~$26,420 – $39,740 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$60,560 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$89,630 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $140,660+ |
How to Earn More as a Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA earn $140,660 — $80,100 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 ($89,630) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustratorthis career | $60,560 |
| Video Game Designer | $98,090 |
| Art Director | $111,040 |
| Craft Artist | $38,480 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animator | $99,800 |
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SOC: 27-1013.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.