Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$58,240
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $55,490
State Rank
#10 of 30
2,560 employed here

How much do Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators make in California?

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in California take home a median of $58,240 annually — roughly $28.00 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $55,490.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $36,300 while the top 10% make $207,320 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,560 and $154,540 a year.

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,300$17.45
25th percentile (early career)$37,560$18.06
50th percentile (median)$58,240$28.00
75th percentile (experienced)$154,540$74.30
90th percentile (top earners)$207,320$99.67

How California compares

California ranks 10th out of 30 states and territories for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$98,540
2Nevada$81,630
3New York$78,870
4Washington$72,430
5Connecticut$71,210

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary in other states

Oregon $98,540Nevada $81,630New York $78,870Washington $72,430Connecticut $71,210Maryland $66,180Georgia $65,010New Mexico $63,090Minnesota $61,730Utah $57,270Arizona $56,160Pennsylvania $54,270Illinois $53,850Wisconsin $53,350Colorado $51,910Florida $50,360Missouri $49,820Texas $49,650Kentucky $48,050Virginia $47,930Oklahoma $47,830Maine $46,170Louisiana $40,700Nebraska $39,800Michigan $38,650Arkansas $32,340Ohio $31,780Tennessee $30,720Kansas $25,830

Working as Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in California

Nationally, about 11,000 people work as Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($58,240) 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 do Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators make in California?
The median Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary in California is $58,240 per year, or about $28.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,300 at the entry level to $207,320 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators about 5% more than the national median of $55,490. California ranks 10th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $58,240 a year. About 2,560 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators 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 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators 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.