CareerFacts

All careers › Craft Artists

Craft artist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$46,080median pay per year, or $22.15 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $25,960lowest 10% earn less
  2. $35,02025th percentile
  3. $46,080median
  4. $58,24075th percentile
  5. $71,990top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Craft artists earned a median of $46,080 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, a little slower than the rate for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+2%[2]
Openings per year
1,000[6]
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential[7]

How much do craft artists make?

The median craft artist wage was $46,080 a year, or $22.15 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers made more than that and half made less[1]. The average was $49,740 a year, or $23.91 an hour[8]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[5]. So the median for craft artists sat below the all-occupations median[1][5].

Pay varies a lot between workers.

Measure Annual Hourly
10th percentile[4][9] $25,960 $12.48
25th percentile[4][9] $35,020 $16.84
Median[1] $46,080 $22.15
75th percentile[4][9] $58,240 $28.00
90th percentile[4][9] $71,990 $34.61

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $25,960 a year[4][10]. BLS does not publish a starting salary, only percentile wages[10].

These figures cover about 4,580 wage and salary jobs[11]. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[12]. That matters here, because about 62.1% of craft artists worked for themselves in 2025[13].

Pay by state and city

BLS published craft artist wages for 23 states[14]. The highest median wages were in California ($100,540), Missouri ($61,780) and Wisconsin ($58,650)[14]. Michigan had the lowest median among those states, at $25,960[14].

Texas had the most jobs, with 870, followed by Michigan with 290 and Florida with 270[15].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim had the highest median, $100,410, followed by Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro at $51,060[16]. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn had the most jobs, 190, and a median of $25,960[17]. Job counts in many places are small, so treat local figures with care[14][17].

Show median pay in 23 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[14]$100,540170
Missouri$61,780140
Wisconsin$58,650190
Texas$54,690870
Maine$53,38050
Oregon$51,060170
New York$49,02050
Georgia$48,880n/a
Florida$48,710270
Massachusetts$47,66050
Arizona$46,300n/a
Washington$44,12080
Colorado$43,620n/a
Illinois$43,040n/a
Alaska$41,600n/a
Pennsylvania$41,600230
Alabama$40,80070
Ohio$38,070180
South Carolina$35,05070
Connecticut$34,01070
Tennessee$32,830n/a
Minnesota$27,560140
Michigan$25,960290

How to become a craft artist

BLS lists no formal educational credential and no related work experience for entry. The typical training is long-term on-the-job training[7].

The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers craft and fine artists together, so it describes a wider group[18].

Formal education is often helpful, though BLS says craft artists typically need no formal credential[19][23]. In an O*NET survey of 23 workers, 26% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 26% said a post-secondary certificate, 17% said some college courses and 9% said a bachelor's degree[24]. The facts here do not say how many years training takes.

What craft artists do

Craft artists make handmade objects to sell and exhibit, using techniques such as welding, weaving, pottery and needlecraft[25]. Tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as ceramic artist, fiber artist, glass artist, goldsmith and hand-weaver[27]. Selling is part of the job, so BLS names business skills and customer service as important qualities[28][29].

Where they work

Many artists work in studios in office buildings, warehouses or lofts. Others work in a private studio at home, and some share studio space[30]. Studios are usually well lit and ventilated, but artists may be exposed to fumes and dust. Protective gear such as masks and goggles is common[31]. Ceramic and glass artists must be careful with materials that can break into sharp pieces and with very hot equipment such as kilns[31].

BLS says full-time work is the norm for craft and fine artists, but part-time and changing schedules also occur. A good number hold a second job. Self-employed artists usually set their own schedules[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects craft artist employment to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 11,500 to 11,800 jobs, a change of 200[2]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. Across all occupations, projected growth is 3.5% over the same span[3].

About 1,000 openings are projected each year, on average[6]. Openings count jobs left by workers who retire or switch occupations, as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.8% of craft artists are projected to leave the labor force and 4.3% to move to a different occupation[33].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a field with no formal entry requirement and long-term on-the-job training[7]. The median wage sits below the all-occupations median, and pay spreads widely from the lowest to the highest earners[1][5][4]. Over half of craft artists worked for themselves in 2025, and promoting your own work is part of the job[13][28]. Growth is projected to be slow[2][3]. It may suit people who want to build skills by practice and are comfortable promoting their own work.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[34].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a craft artist make an hour?
The median was $22.15 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $12.48 and the 90th percentile was $34.61[9].
Do you need a degree to be a craft artist?
BLS lists no formal educational credential for entry[7]. BLS adds that formal education is often helpful[19].
How long does it take to become a craft artist?
BLS lists long-term on-the-job training as typical[7]. The facts do not give a number of years.
Is craft artist a growing job?
Employment is projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. About 1,000 openings are projected each year[6].
What is the highest paying state for craft artists?
California had the highest median, $100,540, among 23 states with published data[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Craft Artists in the US was $46,080 per year and $22.15 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Craft Artists is projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 11,500 to 11,800 jobs (a change of +200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Craft Artists: 10th percentile $25,960, 25th percentile $35,020, 75th percentile $58,240, 90th percentile $71,990. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,000 openings for Craft Artists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Craft Artists: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Craft Artists was $49,740 per year and $23.91 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Craft Artists: 10th percentile $12.48, 25th percentile $16.84, 75th percentile $28.00, 90th percentile $34.61. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 4,580 people were employed as Craft Artists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS Employment Projections: 62.1% of Craft Artists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  14. Median annual wage for Craft Artists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Craft Artists jobs: Texas 870; Michigan 290; Florida 270; Pennsylvania 230; Wisconsin 190. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Craft Artists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $100,410; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $51,060; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $49,200; Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $25,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Craft Artists jobs: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 190 (median $25,960); Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 130 (median $51,060); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 110 (median $100,410); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 100 (median $49,200); Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 60 (median $47,670); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 60 (median $49,290). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Craft and Fine Artists" covers Craft Artists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET 27-1012.00 survey of workers (23 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 26%, Post-Secondary Certificate 26%, Less than a High School Diploma 17%, Some College Courses 17%, Bachelor's Degree 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET description of Craft Artists. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Craft Artists. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 27-1012.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Artist, Ceramic Artist, Decorative Arts Production Artist, Fiber Artist, Fine Craft Artist, Glass Artist, Goldsmith, Hand-Weaver. O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Craft Artists: 3.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.