Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators pay in New York

In New York, the median pay for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators is $37.92 an hour ($78,870 a year). About 1,400 people work in this job there.

$37.92Median hourly pay
$62,780–$119,990Middle half of workers, yearly
1,400People in this job in New York

That is 42% higher than the U.S. median ($55,490). New York ranks 3rd of 30 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators in New York

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$24.04$50,010
25% of workers$30.18$62,780
Half of workers (median)$37.92$78,870
75% of workers$57.69$119,990
90% of workers$74.34$154,630

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators pay in New York metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Albany-Schenectady-Troy$80,07040
New York-Newark-Jersey City$78,2900
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh$70,57040
Buffalo-Cheektowaga$55,02060

New York unemployment rate: 4.3% (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 New York

JobMedian yearly pay
Graphic Designers$77,340
Art Directors$137,320
Fashion Designers$98,640
Photographers$60,050
Commercial and Industrial Designers$89,640
Special Effects Artists and Animators$96,770
Etchers and Engravers$51,540
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$43,660

Other job titles for this job

3d ArtistAnimated Cartoons PainterArtist in ResidenceAirAutomotive ArtistBalloon ArtistBlacksmithBook IllustratorCard PainterCaricature ArtistCartoonistCharacter Artist

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Source: 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.