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

Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators in New York earn the most in Albany (average $90,610 a year) and the least in Buffalo ($57,380), across the 4 New York metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators average at $90,650 and the median at $78,870 for 1,400 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $73,150.

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators average salary by city in New York

Albany$90,610
New York$85,670
Kiryas Joel$80,640
Buffalo$57,380

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Albany	$90,610	$80,070	$62,780	$68,186	100
New York	$85,670	$78,290	$55,490	$64,992	113
Kiryas Joel	$80,640	$70,570	$64,570	$61,730	109
Buffalo	$57,380	$55,020	$45,840	$45,734	96

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

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

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary by city and state

More about pay in New York

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 27-1013.
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.

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