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Career

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipLower pressure

What they do

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

Kinds of work

  • Artistic: Creating, designing and expressing ideas through art, writing, music or performance.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $55,490 Median per year · $26.68/hr Most earn $31,630–$144,210

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Apply solvents and cleaning agents to clean surfaces of paintings, and to remove accretions, discolorations, and deteriorated varnish.
  • Create and prepare sketches and model drawings of cartoon characters, providing details from memory, live models, manufactured products, or reference materials.
  • 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.
  • Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
  • Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.

Job outlook

United States
3% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 2,200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Self-employed (their own business)62.8%
  • Independent artists, writers, and performers9.2%
  • Other miscellaneous retailers2.7%
  • Software publishers2.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Fine artists usually start working right after some art training, such as a certificate program or an apprenticeship, and most build up 1 to 2 years of practice and portfolio work before they are working as artists on their own. There is no single required license, so success depends a lot on your portfolio, your steady studio habits, and your ability to find buyers or shows.

  1. Art training certificate or apprenticeship

    1-2 years

    You build core skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, or other media, and you learn to make a strong portfolio of your work. This training is the usual starting point for the career.

  2. Studio or gallery assistant, or freelance art work

    1-2 years

    You help other artists, galleries, or studios with prep, framing, installs, or commissions while making your own work. This experience builds your portfolio, your reputation, and your contacts.

  3. Fine Artist

    Ongoing

    You create original artwork and sell it through galleries, shows, commissions, or online, and you keep developing your own style over time.

Where it can lead

  1. Graphic Designer

    2-4 years of experience first

    Many artists move into design work, where they use drawing and visual skills for clients, such as logos, layouts, and ads. You usually need to learn design software and build a client-focused portfolio.

  2. Art Director

    4-6 years of experience first

    After years of design or creative work, you may lead a team and guide the visual direction of projects. This role usually requires a strong track record of creative work and leadership on projects.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take every art class you canDrawing, painting, sculpture, and art history build the skills and vocabulary you will need for a portfolio.
  • Keep a daily sketchbookRegular practice builds your skills faster than anything else and gives you a body of work to show later.
  • Join the art club or help with school art projectsWorking on murals, posters, or set paintings for school events gives you real experience with deadlines and teamwork.
  • Enter local art contests or school art showsShowing your work to judges and the public helps you learn how people react to art and gives you something for your portfolio.
  • Take a summer art class at a community center or local art schoolExtra instruction from working artists can strengthen your technique and introduce you to the art community near you.

In college

  • Major or minor in studio artStudio courses with regular critiques will push your skills and help you build a serious portfolio.
  • Take art history and art business coursesArt history gives you context for your work, and business classes help you price, market, and sell it.
  • Work as a studio or art department assistant on campusA campus job in the art department, a makerspace, or a print shop gives you hands-on experience and access to equipment.
  • Intern at a gallery, museum, or local studioInternships show you how exhibitions are run and connect you with working artists and curators.
  • Show your work in student exhibitionsExhibiting while you are a student builds your resume and helps you practice presenting and talking about your art.

Tips for getting started

  • Keep a sketchbook and make work every week, even when no one is asking for it. A growing body of work is what gets you into shows and commissions.
  • Photograph your work well and start a simple online portfolio early. Galleries and clients often judge artists by their images first.
  • Learn the business side as you go: how to price work, write an artist statement, and approach galleries or shows. Many fine artists need these skills as much as their painting or sculpting skills.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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