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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$78,870
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+42% vs US median
US median $55,490
State Rank
#3 of 30
1,400 employed here

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

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators working in New York earn a median salary of $78,870 per year, or about $37.92 per hour. That is 42% above the national median of $55,490 for this occupation.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $50,010 while the top 10% make $154,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,780 and $119,990 a year.

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$50,010$24.04
25th percentile (early career)$62,780$30.18
50th percentile (median)$78,870$37.92
75th percentile (experienced)$119,990$57.69
90th percentile (top earners)$154,630$74.34

How New York compares

New York ranks 3rd 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 $81,630Washington $72,430Connecticut $71,210Maryland $66,180Georgia $65,010New Mexico $63,090Minnesota $61,730California $58,240Utah $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 New York

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 New York pay ($78,870) 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 New York?
The median Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary in New York is $78,870 per year, or about $37.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,010 at the entry level to $154,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators about 42% more than the national median of $55,490. New York ranks 3rd out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,870 a year. About 1,400 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.