Top 15 cities for craft artists by average salary
| Los Angeles, CA | $113,080 |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $70,020 |
| Portland, OR | $55,980 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $55,510 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $55,350 |
| Houston, TX | $52,940 |
| Denver, CO | $52,370 |
| Chicago, IL | $51,560 |
| Washington, DC | $51,360 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,940 |
| San Antonio, TX | $46,340 |
| Orlando, FL | $45,810 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $43,630 |
| Cleveland, OH | $41,750 |
| Detroit, MI | $30,990 |
Map: Craft Artists salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Craft Artists salary by state
California pays craft artists the most statewide, $110,420 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $110,420 | $100,540 | 170 | 1 | $113,080 | $113,080 |
| Georgia | $58,780 | $48,880 | n/a | 1 | $70,020 | $70,020 |
| Missouri | $57,020 | $61,780 | 140 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | $55,820 | $51,060 | 170 | 1 | $55,980 | $55,980 |
| New York | $55,390 | $49,020 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $55,350 | $55,350 |
| Wisconsin | $54,790 | $58,650 | 190 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $54,490 | $32,830 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $53,620 | $47,660 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $53,500 | $54,690 | 870 | 2 | $52,940 | $46,340 |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $51,360 | $51,360 |
| Florida | $51,000 | $48,710 | 270 | 1 | $45,810 | $45,810 |
| Washington | $50,130 | $44,120 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arizona | $48,980 | $46,300 | n/a | 1 | $48,940 | $48,940 |
| Illinois | $48,650 | $43,040 | n/a | 1 | $51,560 | $51,560 |
| Maine | $48,250 | $53,380 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | $45,580 | $43,620 | n/a | 1 | $52,370 | $52,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,780 | $41,600 | 230 | 1 | $55,510 | $55,510 |
| Alaska | $41,760 | $41,600 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | $38,680 | $35,050 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $38,510 | $38,070 | 180 | 2 | $43,630 | $41,750 |
| Alabama | $36,430 | $40,800 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Connecticut | $36,080 | $34,010 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $35,110 | $25,960 | 290 | 1 | $30,990 | $30,990 |
| Minnesota | $34,590 | $27,560 | 140 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Craft Artists salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $113,080 | $100,410 | $54.37 | 110 |
| Atlanta, GA | $70,020 | $74,110 | $33.66 | n/a |
| Portland, OR | $55,980 | $51,060 | $26.91 | 130 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $55,510 | $49,290 | $26.69 | 60 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $55,350 | $44,720 | $26.61 | n/a |
| Houston, TX | $52,940 | $48,190 | $25.45 | n/a |
| Denver, CO | $52,370 | $53,680 | $25.18 | n/a |
| Chicago, IL | $51,560 | $49,200 | $24.79 | 100 |
| Washington, DC | $51,360 | $47,340 | $24.69 | n/a |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,940 | $46,300 | $23.53 | n/a |
| San Antonio, TX | $46,340 | $41,220 | $22.28 | n/a |
| Orlando, FL | $45,810 | $47,670 | $22.02 | 60 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $43,630 | $32,830 | $20.98 | 40 |
| Cleveland, OH | $41,750 | $43,040 | $20.07 | 50 |
| Detroit, MI | $30,990 | $25,960 | $14.90 | 190 |
Related jobs
- Graphic DesignersU.S. average $70,560
- Merchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersU.S. average $42,830
- Art DirectorsU.S. average $129,440
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and IllustratorsU.S. average $73,150
- Commercial and Industrial DesignersU.S. average $93,260
- Floral DesignersU.S. average $39,520
- Interior DesignersU.S. average $74,540
- Special Effects Artists and AnimatorsU.S. average $112,870
Craft Artists salary: questions
Where do craft artists make the most money?
In Los Angeles, CA, with an average of $113,080 a year, among the 15 metro areas we cover.
What is the average craft artists salary in the U.S.?
$49,740 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $46,080, so half of craft artists earn more than that and half less.
What salary should craft artists ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of craft artists nationwide earn between $35,020 (25th percentile) and $58,240 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays craft artists the most?
California, with a statewide average of $110,420 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is craft artists pay the lowest?
Detroit, MI, at $30,990 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-1012.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.