Secondary School Teacher
Median wage · national
$72,040
Range: $60K – $93K
Employed
1.1M
Openings/yr
66K
Typically: bachelor's degree
HUMANITIES
Fine Artists
Fine Artists earn $55,490 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $37,560 and $83,200. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Fine Artists
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
- Median Wage
- $55,490
- Employed Nationally
- 11K
- Openings / Year
- 2,200
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
3D Artist (Three Dimensional Artist)
3D Artist (Three-Dimensional Artist)
Animated Cartoons Painter
Artist
Automotive Artist
How Much Do Fine Artists Make?
Fine Artists earn $55,490 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,560 and $83,200. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$55,490
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$38K–$83K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$37,560
Entry-level
$55,490
Median
$83,200
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $73,150, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Fine Artists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Fine Artists roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
- Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
- Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
- Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
- Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Learning
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Who Thrives Here
A
Artistic
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Where Do Fine Artists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Fine Artists?
The BLS projects -1.2% employment change for Fine Artists through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 2,200 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↘ -1.2%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Declining employment projected.
2,200
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
11K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Fine Artists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $55,490 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,760 | $140,080 | +152.4% |
| 2 | Texas | 1,140 | $34,600 | -37.6% |
| 3 | New York | 960 | $78,690 | +41.8% |
| 4 | Washington | 840 | $78,370 | +41.2% |
| 5 | Florida | 820 | $48,490 | -12.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Fine Artists positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fine Arts | 36,332 | $41,367 | 1,458 |
| 2 | Visual & Performing Arts | 6,785 | $41,688 | 550 |
| 3 | Medical Specialties | 2,689 | $73,739 | 182 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Fine Artists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Fine Artists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Fine Artists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Fine Artists Pros & Cons
Fine Artists has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 1 upsides and 3 concerns below are all data-sourced.
PROS
- Competitive salary $55,490 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
CONS
- Declining employment The BLS projects -1.2% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.
- High earnings variance The gap between the 25th ($37,560) and 75th ($83,200) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, location, and specialization.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $37,560 is considerably below the $55,490 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Fine Artists Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Fine Artists professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Fine Artists is $55,490, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,560 and $83,200. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Fine Artists a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -1.2% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $55,490 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How do I become a Fine Artists?
Most Fine Artists positions require a bachelor's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Fine Arts are common starting points.
Why are Fine Artists jobs declining?
The BLS projects -1.2% employment change for Fine Artists through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 2,200 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 11K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
What skills do Fine Artists professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Fine Artists roles: Active Learning, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, and Speaking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
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- High paying careers
- Associate degree
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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