Salary guide
Craft Artist Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What craft artists earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median craft artist salary in the U.S. is $46,080 per year, or $22.15 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $25,960, while the top 10% earned more than $71,990.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Craft Artist pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $25,960 | $12.48 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $35,020 | $16.84 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $46,080 | $22.15 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $71,990 | $34.61 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $35,020 | $46,080 | $58,240 |
| Per month | $2,918 | $3,840 | $4,853 |
| Every two weeks | $1,347 | $1,772 | $2,240 |
| Per week | $673 | $886 | $1,120 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects craft artist pay
- Portfolio strength and client list
- Industry (advertising, film, tech and corporate roles often pay more)
- Freelance rates versus salaried positions
- Software skills such as Adobe Creative Cloud, DaVinci Resolve or Pro Tools
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a craft artist
- Get credentialed: Craft school courses, BFA, Business license.
- Build specialty experience: Sell.
- Move up: roles such as established artist and studio owner and teacher typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Craft Artist pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of craft artists to change by +2.0% from 2025–35, slower than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,000 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 27-1012 (“Craft artists”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Craft Artist salary FAQ
How much does a craft artist make per hour?
The median hourly wage for craft artists was $22.15 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $12.48 and the top 10% earned about $34.61 or more.
How much does a craft artist make a month?
At the median annual wage of $46,080, that works out to about $3,840 per month before taxes, or about $1,772 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a craft artist?
New craft artists often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $25,960 and the 25th percentile was $35,020 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can craft artists earn more?
Common ways include earning Craft school courses and BFA, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as established artist.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-1012 (Craft artists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Craft artists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.