Career comparison
Art, Drama and Music Professor vs. Fine 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. $55,490), while fine 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. Fine artists create original paintings, sculptures and illustrations.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Art, Drama and Music Professor | Fine Artist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $78,620 | $55,490 ($26.68/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $47,570 – $163,350 | $31,630 – $144,210 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.2% (slower than average) | -2.9% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 8,000 | 2,200 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 6–9 years after high school | Years of practice |
| Key credential | MFA | BFA or MFA |
| Work setting | Faculty work in studios, rehearsal halls, theaters and galleries.. | Fine artists work in studios, often at home.. |
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
Fine Artist
- Create artwork
- Take commissions
- Exhibit work
- Sell art
- Apply for grants
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 fine artist if…
- I must make art
- I’m persistent
- I can handle rejection
Still torn? Take the Art, Drama and Music Professor fit quiz and the Fine Artist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, art, drama and music professor or fine artist?
Art, Drama and Music Professors earn more at the median: $78,620 versus $55,490 for fine artists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Fine 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 -2.9% for fine artists.