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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$30,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-45% vs US median
US median $55,490
State Rank
#29 of 30
100 employed here

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

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Tennessee take home a median of $30,720 annually — roughly $14.77 an hour — which runs 45% below the national median of $55,490.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $27,670 while the top 10% make $58,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,710 and $50,320 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,670$13.30
25th percentile (early career)$30,710$14.76
50th percentile (median)$30,720$14.77
75th percentile (experienced)$50,320$24.19
90th percentile (top earners)$58,770$28.25

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 29th 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 $61,730California $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 $31,780Kansas $25,830

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

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 Tennessee pay ($30,720) 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 Tennessee?
The median Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary in Tennessee is $30,720 per year, or about $14.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,670 at the entry level to $58,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators about 45% less than the national median of $55,490. Tennessee ranks 29th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,720 a year. About 100 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary report

Related salaries

Designer, All Other

$64,950
median pay · 9,000 employed

Film and Video Editors

$75,420
median pay · 26,000 employed

Coaches and Scouts

$47,320
median pay · 249,000 employed

Interior Designer

$67,190
median pay · 72,000 employed

Sound Engineering Technician

$73,130
median pay · 13,000 employed

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

$62,200
median pay · 39,000 employed
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.