Career comparison
Art, Drama and Music Professor vs. Craft Artist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Art, drama and music professors earn more at the median ($78,620 vs. $46,080), while craft artists usually get to work faster (Years of practice of training). Art, drama and music professors teach studio art, music or theater at the college level. Craft artists make handmade pottery, glass, wood, textiles and other crafts to sell.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Art, Drama and Music Professor | Craft Artist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $78,620 | $46,080 ($22.15/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $47,570 – $163,350 | $25,960 – $71,990 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.2% (slower than average) | +2.0% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 8,000 | 1,000 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 6–9 years after high school | Years of practice |
| Key credential | MFA | Craft school courses |
| Work setting | Faculty work in studios, rehearsal halls, theaters and galleries.. | Craft artists work in studios and at markets and fairs.. |
What each job does
Art, Drama and Music Professor
- Teach studio, performance or theory courses
- Give critiques and lessons
- Direct ensembles or productions
- Create and exhibit work
- Mentor students
Craft Artist
- Design pieces
- Make crafts
- Photograph work
- Sell at fairs and online
- Teach workshops
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work, working independently, indoor work, and hands-on work. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and arts, media & design, but share transferable skills such as creativity and creativity.
Which should you choose?
Choose art, drama and music professor if…
- I’m a working artist or musician
- I love teaching
- I give helpful critiques
Choose craft artist if…
- I love making things
- I’m patient
- I want creative freedom
Still torn? Take the Art, Drama and Music Professor fit quiz and the Craft Artist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, art, drama and music professor or craft artist?
Art, Drama and Music Professors earn more at the median: $78,620 versus $46,080 for craft artists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Craft Artists typically train faster (Years of practice) than art, drama and music professors (6–9 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects art, drama and music professors to grow +2.2% from 2025–35, compared with +2.0% for craft artists.