Craft Artist
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Arts, Media & Design career
Fine Artist
Also called: Painter · Sculptor · Illustrator · Muralist
What fine artists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a fine artist do?
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors and illustrators, create original artwork using a variety of media and techniques. The median pay is $55,490 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Years of practice, and employment is projected to grow -2.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$55,490$26.68/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-2.9%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year2,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to trainYears of practiceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs28,900Employment, 2025
What fine artists do
Fine artists create original work. They paint, sculpt, draw and illustrate, take commissions, exhibit in galleries, sell online, create public murals and illustrate books and products.
BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, though skill and a portfolio matter most. Most are self-employed. BLS projects slight decline.
Typical duties
- Create artwork
- Take commissions
- Exhibit work
- Sell art
- Apply for grants
- Market work
- Manage a studio
Work environment and schedule
Fine artists work in studios, often at home.
Schedule: Self-directed hours.
A day in the life
- Paint in the studio.
- Email a gallery.
- Sketch a commission.
- Apply for a public art grant.
See a full day in the life of a fine artist →
Fine Artist salary
Half of fine artists earned more than $55,490 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $31,630 for the lowest 10% to $144,210 for the top 10%.
Full fine artist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a fine artist
- Practice daily
- Earn a BFA
- Build a portfolio
- Show and sell
- Grow
A bachelor’s degree (often a BFA) is typical, though a strong portfolio matters most.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a fine artist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Art technique
- Composition
- Color theory
- Digital tools
- Grant writing
People skills
- Creativity
- Persistence
- Self-discipline
- Networking
All fine artist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Creative freedom
- Be your own boss
- Public impact
- Flexible schedule
Cons
- Uncertain income
- Competitive market
- Self-promotion
- Rejection
Certifications and licenses
- BFA or MFA: Common.
- Artist residencies: Valued.
- Grants and fellowships: Recognition.
- Business license: To sell.
Career path
- Emerging Artist: Start.
- Exhibiting Artist: Shows.
- Represented Artist: Gallery.
- Established Artist: Collections and commissions.
Learn the job before day one
Our Fine Artist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as build a strong art portfolio and apply for a public art commission, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Fine Artist vs. Craft Artist · Fine Artist vs. Art Director · Fine Artist vs. Art Professor · Fine Artist vs. Graphic Designer
Fine Artist FAQ
Do fine artists need a degree?
Not required, but many have a BFA or MFA.
Are most artists self-employed?
Yes.
Is the field growing?
BLS projects slight decline.
How much does a fine artist make?
The median annual wage for fine artists was $55,490 ($26.68 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,630 and the highest 10% earned more than $144,210.
How long does it take to become a fine artist?
Most people need about Years of practice of training. A bachelor’s degree (often a BFA) is typical, though a strong portfolio matters most.
Do you need a degree to be a fine artist?
Not necessarily. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but a strong portfolio and body of work matter more than credentials for most fine artists.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-1013 (Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators (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.