Arts and design

About 63 percent of artists and related workers are self-employed.
Keen competition is expected for both salaried jobs and freelance work; the number of qualified workers exceeds the number of available openings because the arts attract many talented people with creative ability.
Artists usually develop their skills through a bachelor's degree program or other postsecondary training in art or design.
Earnings for self-employed artists vary widely; some well-established artists earn more than salaried artists, while others find it difficult to rely solely on income earned from selling art.

Commercial and industrial designers usually work closely with engineers, materials scientists, marketing and corporate strategy staff, cost estimators, and accountants.
About 1 out of 3 are self-employed.
A bachelor's degree in industrial design, architecture, or engineering is required for entry-level positions; however, many commercial and industrial designers choose to pursue a master's degree in either industrial design or business administration.
Keen competition is expected for most jobs because many qualified individuals are attracted to careers in this field; those with strong backgrounds in engineering and computer-aided design, as well as extensive business expertise, will have the best prospects.

In 2004, two-thirds of salaried fashion designers were employed in either New York or California.
Employers seek designers with a 2- or 4-year degree who are knowledgeable about textiles, fabrics, ornamentation, and fashion trends.
Job competition is expected to be keen as many designers are attracted to the creativity and glamour associated with the occupation, while relatively few job openings arise.
More than 1 out of 4 are self-employed.

Job opportunities should be good because of relatively high replacement needs stemming from low starting pay and limited advancement opportunities.
Floral design is the only design specialty that does not require formal postsecondary training.
Many floral designers work long hours on weekends and holidays, filling orders and setting up decorations for weddings and other events.
About 1 out of 3 is self-employed.

Among the five design occupations, graphic designers are expected to have the most new jobs through 2014; however, job seekers are expected to face keen competition for available positions.
Graphic designers with Web site design and animation experience will have the best opportunities.
A bachelor's degree is required for most entry-level positions; however, an associate degree may be sufficient for technical positions.
About 3 out of 10 designers are self-employed; many do freelance work in addition to holding a salaried job in design or in another occupation.

Keen competition is expected for jobs in interior design because many talented individuals are attracted to careers as interior designers.
Individuals with little or no formal training in interior design, as well as those lacking creativity and perseverance, will find it very difficult to establish and maintain a career in this occupation.
About 3 out of 10 are self-employed.
Postsecondary education—especially a bachelor's degree—is recommended for entry-level positions in interior design; licensure is required in 23 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Quick Stats

Designers, all other

2004 employment: 16,000
2014 projected employment: 18,000
Change — numeric: 2,000; percent: 13.6%
2004 median annual earnings: $42,250; earnings group: high
2004 self-employed: 16.0%
2004 part-time employment: high
2004 unemployment: low
Typical education and training: Bachelor's degree
Educational attainment — high school: 15.6%; some college: 30.0%; bachelor's degree: 54.4%

source: Employment Matrix; about this section

National Average and Percentile Annual Earnings, May 2005

source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about this section

May 2005 Mean Annual Earnings and Employment, wage and salary workers

Designers, all other
— National
U.S.:	$47,810
— by State
AL:	$54,500
AZ:	$45,310
AR:	$46,500
CA:	$45,610
CO:	$46,170
CT:	$49,150
DC:	$64,160
FL:	$37,490
GA:	$40,000
ID:	$45,850
IL:	$57,770
IN:	$26,670
KY:	$44,840
LA:	$43,150
MD:	$62,910
MA:	$52,990
MI:	$49,580
MN:	$48,150
MS:	$44,990
MO:	$57,870
NV:	$45,200
NH:	$42,600
NJ:	$46,580
NM:	$51,860
NY:	$53,930
NC:	$42,420
OH:	$42,650
OR:	$54,460
PA:	$40,880
RI:	$39,470
SC:	$51,500
TX:	$41,110
UT:	$46,370
VT:	$34,330
VA:	$58,180
WA:	$65,440
WV:	$58,040
WI:	$34,640
PR:	$37,860
— by NAICS Industry Sector
22	$56,660
23	$38,000
31-33	$45,190
42	$50,690
44-45	$35,400
48-49	$46,290
51	$57,590
52	$48,920
53	$27,410
54	$42,660
55	$55,800
56	$59,210
61	$44,400
62	$39,550
71	$49,870
72	$49,720
81	$30,830
92	$61,130
Also see State and Metropolitan Area and industry estimates of employment and percentile earnings for designers, all other.

Width of bars indicates mean annual wages; color of bars indicates employment.

source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about this section

Designers

Full-time wage and salary workers, 2004
Employment Median weekly earnings
$ W/M ratio
Women
(emp.) (earn.) 230,000 $646 0.790
Men
(emp.) (earn.) 250,000 $818
All workers
(emp.) (earn.) 480,000 $714

source: Current Population Survey; about this section

1999 employment and earnings distribution, year-round full-time workers

Designers

	Percentile earnings distribution
	10th	25th	50th	75th	90th
All workers employment: 459,070 average earnings: $43,000	$15,000	$24,000	$35,000	$50,000	$74,000
Men employment: 239,540 average earnings: $43,000	$20,000	$29,000	$40,000	$59,000	$81,000
Women employment: 219,540 average earnings: $36,000	$12,000	$20,000	$30,000	$42,000	$60,000

source: Bureau of the Census; about this section

2004 Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and event or exposure

Occupation	Fatalities: Event or exposure
Occupation	Total	Tran.	Viol.	Cont.	Falls	Expo.	Fires
Art and design workers	8	4	-	-	-	-	-
Designers	5	-	-	-	-	-	-

source: Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities Program; about this section

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