Craft Artist salary in California
Craft Artists in California earn a median of $100,540 a year ($48.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,390 for the top 10%. That is 118% higher than the national median of $46,080. California ranks 1st of 23 states for craft artists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 craft artists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $110,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for craft artists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| 25th percentile | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Median | $100,540 | $48.34 |
| 75th percentile | $130,360 | $62.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $204,390 | $98.27 |
| Average (mean) | $110,420 | $53.09 |
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 | $8,378.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,189.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,866.92 |
| Weekly | $1,933.46 |
| Hourly | $48.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Craft Artist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,410 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for craft artists
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $100,770 | $48.45 |
| Floral Designer | $47,040 | $22.61 |
| Designers, All Other | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $105,030 | $50.49 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for craft artists in California is $100,540 a year, or $48.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid craft artists make in California?
The top 10% of craft artists in California earn at least $204,390 a year. The top 25% earn $130,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for craft artists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,290 a year, and a quarter of craft artists earn $62,500 or less.
How many craft artists work in California?
About 170 craft artists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.