California Median
$100,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.34
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+118% vs US median
US median $46,080
State Rank
#1 of 23
170 employed here
How much does a Craft Artist make in California?
Craft Artists in California take home a median of $100,540 annually — roughly $48.34 an hour — which runs 118% above the national median of $46,080.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $55,290 while the top 10% make $204,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,500 and $130,360 a year.
Craft Artist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,290 | $26.58 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,500 | $30.05 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $100,540 | $48.34 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $130,360 | $62.67 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $204,390 | $98.26 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 23 states and territories for Craft Artist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Craft Artist salary in other states
Missouri $61,780Wisconsin $58,650Texas $54,690Maine $53,380Oregon $51,060New York $49,020Georgia $48,880Florida $48,710Massachusetts $47,660Arizona $46,300Washington $44,120Colorado $43,620Illinois $43,040Alaska $41,600Pennsylvania $41,600Alabama $40,800Ohio $38,070South Carolina $35,050Connecticut $34,010Tennessee $32,830Minnesota $27,560Michigan $25,960
Working as a Craft Artist in California
Nationally, about 5,000 people work as Craft Artists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($100,540) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Craft Artist make in California?
The median Craft Artist salary in California is $100,540 per year, or about $48.34 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $55,290 at the entry level to $204,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Craft Artists about 118% more than the national median of $46,080. California ranks 1st out of 23 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Craft Artists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $100,540 a year. About 170 Craft Artists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Craft Artist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.