SOC 27-1013 · May 2025 · United States
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators across the United States is $55,490 per year, measured over 11,220 jobs. The highest state median is in Oregon, at $98,540.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Pay for this occupation varies by 281.5% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Oregon pays $98,540 and Kansas pays $25,830.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $98,540 | — | |
| 2 | Nevada | $81,630 | 160 | |
| 3 | New York | $78,870 | 1,400 | |
| 4 | Washington | $72,430 | 350 | |
| 5 | Connecticut | $71,210 | 100 | |
| 6 | Maryland | $66,180 | 80 | |
| 7 | Georgia | $65,010 | 350 | |
| 8 | New Mexico | $63,090 | 70 | |
| 9 | Minnesota | $61,730 | — | |
| 10 | California | $58,240 | 2,560 |
States with the most Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 2,560 | $58,240 | |
| 2 | New York | 1,400 | $78,870 | |
| 3 | Florida | 1,010 | $50,360 | |
| 4 | Texas | 700 | $49,650 | |
| 5 | Ohio | 510 | $31,780 | |
| 6 | Georgia | 350 | $65,010 | |
| 7 | Washington | 350 | $72,430 | |
| 8 | Colorado | 250 | $51,910 | |
| 9 | Virginia | 230 | $47,930 | |
| 10 | Michigan | 220 | $38,650 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $126,470 | 450 |
| 2 | Portland | $98,540 | — |
| 3 | Naples | $83,670 | 30 |
| 4 | Seattle | $82,580 | 250 |
| 5 | Albany | $80,070 | 40 |
| 6 | New York | $78,290 | — |
| 7 | Denver | $77,100 | 50 |
| 8 | Santa Fe | $72,610 | — |
| 9 | Shreveport | $72,400 | 60 |
| 10 | Kiryas Joel | $70,570 | 40 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.