Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

How to read this profile

BLS projects U.S. employment for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators to decrease by -2.9% between 2024 and 2034, from 28,900 to 28,000 jobs. Its estimate of 2,200 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($55,490), education (Bachelor's degree), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.

Base employment (2024)

28,900

Projected employment (2034)

28,000

Projected change (2024–2034)

-3%

Annual openings (projected average)

2,200

Pay & Preparation
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$55,490

Bachelor's degree

None

Long-term on-the-job training

Essential Skills

Active Learning (3.25/5) • Critical Thinking (3.25/5) • Active Listening (3.12/5) • Speaking (3/5) • Reading Comprehension (3/5) • Judgment and Decision Making (3/5)

O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.

BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.

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