When you think of a job in the field of arts, a high wage doesn’t usually come to mind; you think of a struggling artist or a busker full of fire in their belly trying to make ends meet. Yet, surprisingly, there are plenty of artistic jobs that offer a high salary and great job satisfaction — sounds like a dream come true, right?
If you have a creative degree and don’t know what route to take, these top jobs will help you narrow your search.
1. Makeup artist
Average salary: $35,080/year
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, being able to do makeup well is an art in itself. If you dreamed of sculpting faces with makeup and turning your clients into the best version of themselves, this is definitely the job for you.
In order to succeed as a freelancer, you’ll need to gain some work experience in a store for a big makeup brand to learn top tricks of the trade.
2. Musician
Average salary: $39.14/hour
Did you think your dream of making it in the music industry was coming to an end? If you did, think again! You don’t have to be performing at Madison Square Garden to call yourself a musician.
You can work behind the scenes and climb your way up the ladder at a production company, or you can opt to be a music teacher and form your own band that plays at parties and weddings.
3. Art lecturer
Average salary: $100,840/year
If you have the passion and experience in the art industry, being a lecturer sounds like a logical calling.
As a professor at a college or university, you’ll be in charge of delivering the course’s curriculum and assessing the students on the knowledge that they have learned. Art lecturers must complete a minimum of a master’s degree within the visual arts or art history, combined with work experience.
4. Art dealer
Average salary: $71,420/year
Art dealers are industry experts that buy and sell artwork. They work closely with artists, critics, museum owners, collectors and purchasers. This job involves staying up to date with current trends and informed on new products, all while traveling and making hard sales.
5. Talent agent
Average salary: $132,810/year
This exciting job involves tracking down aspiring actors and models that you think have the talent to pursue a long-lasting career. If your judgement is right, you could become a household name in the industry and make a good living for yourself, too.
6. Fine artist
Average salary: $71,420/year
This is perhaps the most obvious of careers in art but one that requires an incredible amount of self-belief and dedication.
If you aspire to be an artist, you could begin by being an assistant in an art studio and complete your projects while working in another part-time job until you have developed a solid business.
7. Printmaker
Average salary: $52,910/year
Printmakers create art using printing press, usually on paper. Techniques used include etching, block-printing, woodcuts, silk-screening and lithography, with electronic and digital processes increasingly being used.
If this is the career route you would like to take, networking may be the path to getting your name heard.
8. Photographer
Average salary: $40,760/year
If you find yourself taking snaps of all things around you and making them look really captivating, consider choosing a career in photography. You’ll need to have good communication skills and be inventive to come up with new angles and ideas.Bottom of Form
9. Gallery manager
Average salary: $57,120/year
Working in art galleries, gallery managers are responsible for overseeing the installation and removal of exhibits as well as the spaces themselves, ensuring that the lighting and air conditioning function as they should.
In some cases, gallery managers may also be responsible for handling the marketing side of things too, responding to online messages and enquiries, and promoting upcoming events.
10. Art teacher
Average salary: $63,670/year
If you have the passion to share your knowledge and skills with others, why not become an art teacher?
You can have the comfort of a job with set hours and holiday, and be inspired by the passion that your students share for the subject. You’ll be responsible for training your students for exams and will feel a huge sense of satisfaction when they have passed.
11. Animator
Average salary: $99,060/year
An animator is a special kind of artist that produces multiple images called frames which, when put together, create an illusion of movement. Take Disney movies, for example, which are created through animation.
To become a successful animator, you need to have artistic talent and strong technical skills as well as a good eye for detail.
12. 3D artist
Average salary: $99,060/year
A 3D artist isn’t like your regular one that puts paintbrush to paper and creates a fascinating masterpiece.
This type of artist uses specialized design and drawing software to create computer images of people, buildings and objects to make sure they can be viewed from all sides as a separate element.
13. Ceramicist
Average salary: $71,420/year
A ceramicist, or ceramic artist, is someone who uses clay to make crafts, either by hand or with a potter’s wheel. The objects they make can vary from cups, plates and vases to ornaments, plaques and planters.
Once the clay is dry after it has been shaped, it is fired in a kiln and then glazed and refired to give it the desired color or pattern.
14. Illustrator
Average salary: $71,420/year
Illustrators use their creative skills to demonstrate stories through images for an intended audience. This could be through the front cover of a book or a series of caricatures, photographs or digital illustrations.
In order to succeed in this field, you should have already completed a degree in fine arts.
15. Interior designer
Average salary: $62,570/year
Interior designers are professionals who combine function, safety, style and beauty to create esthetically pleasing interior spaces. They usually discuss the client’s wants and needs, and design the project around their budget.
Designers must also be technically advanced, as they will use computer-based programs to create their vision boards.
16. Architect
Average salary: $62,510/year
Architects are responsible for designing buildings and structures. If you find yourself admiring the unique architecture of buildings and doodling sketches of random designs, this job will be perfect for you.
17. Graphic designer
Average salary: $58,910/year
Are you passionate about creating an image on your computer that can speak a thousand words? If so, graphic design allows you to combine art and technology. You may be hired to design images for a website, publication, film, store or restaurant.
18. Film director
Average salary: $82,510
If you have the vision and ability to use technology to capture talked-about images that make it past the cutting room floor and into the theater, then this job is best-suited for you. Gaining industry knowledge can be difficult, but if you have the skills, you’ll earn mega bucks being a film director.
19. Art director
Average salary: $106,500/year
Have you ever dreamed of being the big boss and overseeing design and direct layouts?
By being an art director, you will manage the planning, design and production, whether it’s on a modeling set, commercial, poster or magazine. You’ll be the contact for clients and delegate the stylistic needs to team members who will present designs for approval.
20. Fashion designer
Average salary: $79,290/year
Fashion designers have the responsibility of creating wonderful patterns for a variety of clothing, shoes and accessories. This can range from products for high-street fashion or haute couture.
The designer initially drafts the design but can also be involved in selecting the fabric and cutting and crafting the items.
21. Art therapist
Average salary: $75,660/year
If you love art and helping others, you’ll be able to combine your two passions as an art therapist. At its core, this profession involves working with people who have physical or mental health problems, as well as clients seeking emotional, spiritual and creative growth, using a variety of artistic processes (like painting and drawing).
To practice this highly rewarding job, though, you’ll need to complete comprehensive training that includes a bachelor’s degree in art education or psychology, and a clinical internship.
22. Jeweler
Average salary: $47,450/year
If you prefer a more practical career and love jewelry, then becoming a jeweler might be right up your alley. As a jeweler, you will design and make jewelry (like bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings) using a variety of metals, gems and other materials.
Jewelers are typically hired by jewelry and accessory brands, but many choose to make a business out of it.
23. Art curator
Average salary: $57,120/year
Art curators are tasked with the management of art collections in institutions like museums and galleries, and often lead or assist in the production of exhibitions.
As they deal with procurement, acquisition, appraisal, appreciation and visual display of artwork, their job is highly specialized and, as such, require formal training art history, art theory or museum studies.
24. Floral designer
Average salary: $34,690/year
One of the few art careers that don’t require a formal education, floral designers are offered the unique opportunity to combine their artistic expression with a love of flowers.
Also known as florists, they use their creativity and knowledge of flower design to arrange live, dried and silk flowers and greenery to make decorative displays according to the needs and requests of their clients.
25. Set and exhibit designer
Average salary: $67,170/year
Set and exhibit designers are tasked with designing the physical sets for film, TV, theater and video productions, as well as displays for exhibitions, museums, galleries, libraries, shows and businesses. They generally specialize in one or the other, but many choose to do both.
One of the best things about working as a set and exhibit designer, meanwhile, is that you often get to meet and work directly with famous directors, actors and artists!
26. Game artist
Average salary: $99,060/year
Video game artists have one of the most high-paying jobs on our list — and arguably one of the best art careers out there. (Video game lovers will agree!)
Depending on the project they are working on, as well as their background and skills, game artists may be tasked with creating concept art, 3D models, user interfaces or other aspects or elements that appear in-game or on promotional materials.
27. Art historian
Average salary: $72,890/year
Working in art doesn’t always require you to be an artist yourself. Having a passion for art can suffice!
Art historians study artworks and artifacts, carrying out research to uncover the history of the pieces. Sometimes, they study specific artists or periods of art, sharing their findings with students pursuing art degrees or with wider audiences through publications.
28. Web designer
Average salary: $92,750/year
Web designers make a call for the visual aspects that appear on a user’s screen whenever they visit a website.
Unlike web developers who primarily work with code to create functional webpages, web designers focus on creating designs and layouts using software like Adobe Dreamweaver and Figma. Having said that, web designers are also often required to know some coding basics.
29. Art agent
Average salary: Varies
Art agents (also known as artists’ agents) represent visual artists, the same way that talent agents represent models, musicians, writers, actors and other professionals in entertainment or sports.
Acting as a business intermediary, the agent sells the work of an artist and tries to identify and negotiate business opportunities for the artist in exchange for a commission.
30. Conservator
Average salary: $54,890/year
Art conservators are responsible for restoring different artworks and artifacts using a number of methods, keeping the objects in good shape for years to come.
Conservation treatments include varnishing paintings, replacing paintings’ stretchers, filling and retouching defective areas, and treating deformations such as bulges, tears or dents.
Final thoughts
If you want to excel in any one of these jobs, make sure you do in-depth research and have what it takes to succeed. These jobs will feel like a hobby rather than actual work if you have your heart set on them.
Do you see yourself in any of the professions listed above? If so, let us know how you plan to go about it or if there are any other jobs you would like to do in the comments section below.
This article is a partial update of an earlier version originally published on January 8, 2018, and contains contributions by Electra Michaelidou.