Craft Artists: Career Profile
Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
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What Tasks Do Craft Artists Perform?
The core tasks performed by craft artists cover:
- Select materials for use based on strength, color, texture, balance, weight, size, malleability and other characteristics.
- Create functional or decorative objects by hand, using a variety of methods and materials.
- Develop concepts or creative ideas for craft objects.
- Apply finishes to objects being crafted.
- Cut, shape, fit, join, mold, or otherwise process materials, using hand tools, power tools, or machinery.
- Set specifications for materials, dimensions, and finishes.
- Advertise products and work, using media such as internet advertising and brochures.
- Sketch or draw objects to be crafted.
What Craft Artists Need to Know
Successful craft artists combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Craft Artists Jobs
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Art Objects Repairer
- Artisan
- Artist
- Calligrapher
- Candle Maker
- Ceramic Artist
- Ceramics Artist
- China Painter
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 381,205 craft artists working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +5.7% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Craft Artists Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $76,826 |
| Hourly median | $36.94 |
| 10th percentile | $47,304 |
| 25th percentile | $62,065 |
| 75th percentile | $91,587 |
| 90th percentile | $106,347 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $67,060 |
| California | $59,980 |
| Missouri | $58,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,000 |
| Texas | $52,000 |
| New York | $48,580 |
| Wisconsin | $47,990 |
| Florida | $46,810 |
| North Carolina | $46,540 |
| Massachusetts | $44,610 |
| Washington | $43,380 |
| Colorado | $40,190 |
| Kentucky | $38,890 |
| Oregon | $38,590 |
| Maine | $37,920 |
| Tennessee | $37,570 |
| Ohio | $36,430 |
| Nevada | $36,400 |
| Virginia | $35,300 |
| Alabama | $35,090 |
| Indiana | $34,130 |
| Georgia | $34,040 |
| Connecticut | $32,640 |
| Iowa | $32,600 |
| Nebraska | $32,300 |
| Minnesota | $31,980 |
| Illinois | $31,960 |
| South Carolina | $31,510 |
| Louisiana | $30,580 |
| Arizona | $29,950 |
| Michigan | $26,640 |
| Utah | $20,030 |
Where Craft Artists Earn the Most
Earnings for craft artists differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $52,211 | 16.0% | 1.01 |
| Middle Atlantic | $49,979 | 7.3% | 0.50 |
| Southwest | $47,783 | 12.3% | 0.86 |
| Plains States | $45,157 | 11.0% | 1.70 |
| Rocky Mountains | $40,190 | 6.7% | 2.42 |
| New England | $34,814 | 11.3% | 5.70 |
| Southeast | $34,426 | 10.3% | 1.21 |
| Great Lakes | $30,151 | 25.0% | 3.40 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $81,940 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $79,410 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | PA | $60,990 | |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $59,430 | 200 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | TX | $53,730 | |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | TX | $52,070 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | NC | $45,760 | |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | CO | $44,390 |
Industry Breakdown
The bulk of craft artists are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 1,720 | $44,540 |
| Retail Trade | 1,210 | $34,590 |
| Manufacturing | 480 | $36,430 |
| Information | 200 | $92,720 |
| Wholesale Trade | 130 | $34,880 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 40 | $81,690 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Software Craft Artists Use
- Web page creation and editing software: Facebook (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of craft artists reflects the following characteristics:
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Getting Started in This Career
Entry-level craft artists positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (Primary-Short)
- Commercial and Industrial Designers (Supplemental)
- Fashion Designers (Supplemental)
- Graphic Designers (Supplemental)
- Interior Designers (Supplemental)
- Set and Exhibit Designers (Supplemental)
- Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Long)
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers (Supplemental)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Future craft artists often complete programs in:
Visual and Performing Arts
11 programs across 3 majors
About the Data
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 27-1012.00 (Craft Artists).
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