Despite the negative clichés of the “starving artist,” we need people educated in art. Just think about website design, industrial design, or even the person who drafted the plans for the building you live in. Here is a look at several high-paying art careers.
High-Paying Jobs for Entry-Level Positions With an Art Degree
You can find a high-paying art career even with an entry-level position. Here are three high-paying entry-level art jobs.
Multimedia Artist
- Job duties: Create graphics, illustrations, animation, advertisements, website designs, or special effects.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: None
- Median salary: $69,030.
- Expected growth rate: 4% through 2028
Industrial Designer
- Job duties: Research, design, and develop products.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: None
- Median salary: $63,384
- Expected growth rate: -4%
Fashion Designer
- Job duties: Designing and making clothing, footwear, and accessories.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: None
- Median salary: $55,500
- Expected growth rate: -4%
The 9 Highest Paying Jobs With an Art Degree
Even though these are not entry-level jobs, only a couple require around five years of experience, while the others require none. The following jobs pay the highest salaries for those with an art degree.
Producer & Director
- Job duties: Selecting scripts or topics, auditioning and selecting cast members and crew, approving the design and financial aspects of production, overseeing the production process (sound, lighting, and performances), and scheduling cast and crew meetings.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: Less than 5 years
- Median salary: $92,359
- Expected growth rate: 7%
Art Director
- Job duties: Determine which photographs, art, or other design elements to use in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: 5 years or more
- Median salary: $90,226
- Expected growth rate: 6%
Landscape Architect
- Job duties: Design attractive and functional gardens, playgrounds, parks, residential areas, college campuses, and public spaces.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: None
- Median salary: $75,051
- Expected growth rate: 0%
Art Curator
- Job duties: Developing/planning/executing exhibitions, finding pieces for collections, managing collections, researching objects and their subject matter, and sharing their insights with the public.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: None
- Median salary: $73,726
- Expected growth rate: 12%
Video Editor
- Job duties: Edit and assemble raw video footage and clips into high-quality finished videos to inform, engage, and inspire viewers.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: None
- Median salary: $60,792
- Expected growth rate: 7%
Drafter
- Job duties: Create technical drawings and plans using CAD software, working with architects and engineers to convert their designs into technical drawings creating everything from microchips to skyscrapers.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: None
- Median salary: $56,709
- Expected growth rate: 8.1%
Graphic Designer
- Job duties: Create visual concepts that communicate ideas, inform, inspire, and captivate consumers, whether using computer software or by hand incorporating elements such as shapes, color, typography, and images.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: None
- Median salary: $55,000
- Expected growth rate: 3.3%
Interior Designer
- Job duties: Oversee the design and decoration of living and working spaces, by selecting essential and decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials, to create functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing spaces.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: None
- Median salary: $52,482
- Expected growth rate: 4%
Fine Artist
- Job duties: Create sketches, templates, and models to guide their work for projects and products in various areas — including fine art, sculpting, pottery, and digital art.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Training or experience: Long-term training required
- Median salary: $49,143
- Expected growth rate: 14%
