Arts, Design, Media & Sports
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Also called: Artist, Automotive Artist, Blacksmith, Fine Artist
US median pay
$55,490
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-2.9%
declining
Openings a year (US)
2,200
28,900 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
What they do day to day
- Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
- Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
- Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
- Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
- Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
- Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
- Monitor events, trends, and other circumstances, research specific subject areas, attend art exhibitions, and read art publications to develop ideas and keep current on art world activities.
- Photograph objects, places, or scenes for reference material.
- Model substances such as clay or wax, using fingers and small hand tools to form objects.
- Create sculptures, statues, and other three-dimensional artwork by using abrasives and tools to shape, carve, and fabricate materials such as clay, stone, wood, or metal.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Operations Analysis2.6/5
- Service Orientation2.5/5
- Coordination2.5/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.4/5
Knowledge
- Design4.3/5
- Computers and Electronics4.2/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Production and Processing3.6/5
- Fine Arts3.5/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Some college37%
- Bachelor's degree35%
- High school diploma27%
Who this job suits
Mostly Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.