Craft Artist salary in the U.S.
Craft Artists in the U.S. earn a median of $46,080 a year ($22.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,990 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $49,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for craft artists in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,960 | $12.48 |
| 25th percentile | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Median | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| 75th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Average (mean) | $49,740 | $23.91 |
Half of craft artists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,840 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,920 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,772.31 |
| Weekly | $886.15 |
| Hourly | $22.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Craft Artist salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| California | $100,540 | 170 |
| Missouri | $61,780 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $58,650 | 190 |
| Texas | $54,690 | 870 |
| Maine | $53,380 | 50 |
| Oregon | $51,060 | 170 |
| New York | $49,020 | 50 |
| Georgia | $48,880 | n/a |
| Florida | $48,710 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $47,660 | 50 |
| Arizona | $46,300 | n/a |
| Washington | $44,120 | 80 |
| Colorado | $43,620 | n/a |
| Illinois | $43,040 | n/a |
| Alaska | $41,600 | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $41,600 | 230 |
| Alabama | $40,800 | 70 |
| Ohio | $38,070 | 180 |
| South Carolina | $35,050 | 70 |
| Connecticut | $34,010 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $32,830 | n/a |
| Minnesota | $27,560 | 140 |
| Michigan | $25,960 | 290 |
Best-paying metro areas for craft artists
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,410 | 110 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $74,110 | n/a |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $53,680 | n/a |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $51,060 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,290 | 60 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,200 | 100 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $48,190 | n/a |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $47,670 | 60 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $47,340 | n/a |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $46,300 | n/a |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $44,720 | n/a |
| Cleveland, OH | $43,040 | 50 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $41,220 | n/a |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $32,830 | 40 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $25,960 | 190 |
Metro areas with the most craft artists
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 190 | $25,960 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 130 | $51,060 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 110 | $100,410 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 100 | $49,200 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 60 | $47,670 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 60 | $49,290 |
| Cleveland, OH | 50 | $43,040 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 40 | $32,830 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | $32.31 |
| Art Director | $114,850 | $55.22 |
| Floral Designer | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| Fashion Designer | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $102,030 | $49.06 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Designers, All Other | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,320 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a craft artist make in the U.S.?
The median salary for craft artists in the U.S. is $46,080 a year, or $22.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid craft artists make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of craft artists in the U.S. earn at least $71,990 a year. The top 25% earn $58,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for craft artists in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,960 a year, and a quarter of craft artists earn $35,020 or less.
How many craft artists work in the U.S.?
About 4,580 craft artists are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.