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Artist/Illustrator Salary in the United States

How much does an Artist/Illustrator make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Artist/Illustrator in the United States is $69,037 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, an Artist/Illustrator's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,317
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,779 to $76,512
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,261
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Artist/Illustrator Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Artist/Illustrator Salaries

An Artist/Illustrator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Artist/Illustrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Artist/Illustrator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $63,378
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $64,061
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $67,999
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $70,906
  • Expert (over 8 years): $71,425
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Artist/Illustrator less than 1 year $63,378
Early Career Level Artist/Illustrator 1-2 years $64,061
Mid-Level Level Artist/Illustrator 2-4 years $67,999
Senior-Level Level Artist/Illustrator 5-8 years $70,906
Expert Level Artist/Illustrator over 8 years $71,425

How Do Artist/Illustrator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Artist/Illustrators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $76,438.
  • California: $76,148.
  • Massachusetts: $75,133.

Top Paying Cities for Artist/Illustrator

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $87,077
  • San Francisco: $86,123
  • Oakland: $84,308

Artist/Illustrator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Artist/Illustrator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Artist/Illustrator positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Artist/Illustrator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Artist/Illustrator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $96,652 $46.0 40%
MFG Nondurable $93,200 $45.0 35%
Business Services $89,749 $43.0 30%
Energy & Utilities $86,297 $41.0 25%
Aerospace & Defense $82,845 $40.0 20%

How Education impacts an Artist/Illustrator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Artist/Illustrator professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Artist/Illustrator with a high school is between $67,952 and $73,711.

Artist/Illustrator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Artist/Illustrator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 4.3%
High School 12.8%
Associate's Degree 13.4%
Bachelor's Degree 59.3%
Master's Degree or MBA 9.6%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.7%
View as Graph

Artist/Illustrator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Artist/Illustrator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$60,779
Average $69,037/year
$76,512
$5,065
Average $5,753/month
$6,376
$1,169
Average $1,328/week
$1,471
$29
Average $33/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,512 $6,376 $1,471 $37
Average $69,037 $5,753 $1,328 $33
25th Percentile $60,779 $5,065 $1,169 $29

Most common benefits for Artist/Illustrator

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Artist/Illustrator

Here are companies hiring for Artist/Illustrator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Artist/Illustrator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Artist/Illustrator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Artist/Illustrator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Artist/Illustrator?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Artist/Illustrator roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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