Craft Artist salary in Illinois
Craft Artists in Illinois earn a median of $43,040 a year ($20.69 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $33,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,080 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $46,080. Illinois ranks 14th of 23 states for craft artists pay. The average (mean) salary is $48,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for craft artists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,670 | $16.19 |
| 25th percentile | $33,670 | $16.19 |
| Median | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| 75th percentile | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Average (mean) | $48,650 | $23.39 |
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 | $3,586.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,793.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,655.38 |
| Weekly | $827.69 |
| Hourly | $20.69 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,200 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for craft artists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $100,540 |
| Missouri | $61,780 |
| Wisconsin | $58,650 |
| Texas | $54,690 |
| Maine | $53,380 |
| Oregon | $51,060 |
| New York | $49,020 |
| Georgia | $48,880 |
| Florida | $48,710 |
| Massachusetts | $47,660 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
| Interior Designer | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Floral Designer | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Designers, All Other | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $53,850 | $25.89 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for craft artists in Illinois is $43,040 a year, or $20.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid craft artists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of craft artists in Illinois earn at least $68,080 a year. The top 25% earn $68,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for craft artists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,670 a year, and a quarter of craft artists earn $33,670 or less.