Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators pay in California
In California, the median pay for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators is $28.00 an hour ($58,240 a year). About 2,560 people work in this job there.
That is 5% higher than the U.S. median ($55,490). California ranks 10th of 30 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.45 | $36,300 |
| 25% of workers | $18.06 | $37,560 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.00 | $58,240 |
| 75% of workers | $74.30 | $154,540 |
| 90% of workers | $99.67 | $207,320 |
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $126,470 | 450 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -2.9% over ten years, declining · about 2,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designers | $75,130 |
| Art Directors | $137,780 |
| Photographers | $47,840 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $130,540 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $100,770 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $105,030 |
| Etchers and Engravers | $46,480 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: 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. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.