Art directors
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Art Directors: Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches, and direct workers engaged in art work, layout design, and copy writing for visual communications media, such as magazines, books, newspapers, and packaging.
Artists held about 208,000 jobs in 2004. Sixty-three percent were self-employed. Employment was distributed as follows:
| Multi-media artists and animators | 94,000 |
| Art directors | 71,000 |
| Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators | 29,000 |
| Artists and related workers, all other | 8,500 |
| Craft artists | 6,100 |
Of the artists who were not self-employed, many worked in advertising and related services; newspaper, periodical, book, and software publishers; motion picture and video industries; specialized design services; and computer systems design and related services. Some self-employed artists offered their services to advertising agencies, design firms, publishing houses, and other businesses on a contract or freelance basis.
Median annual earnings of salaried art directors were $63,840 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $47,890 and $88,120. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,500, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $123,320. Median annual earnings were $66,900 in advertising and related services.
Median annual earnings of salaried craft artists were $23,520 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $17,950 and $32,980. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14,740, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $44,490.
Median annual earnings of salaried fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, were $38,060 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $25,990 and $51,730. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $68,860. According to the Association of Medical Illustrators, the median earnings in 2005 for salaried medical illustrators were $59,000.
Median annual earnings of salaried multi-media artists and animators were $50,360 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,980 and $70,730. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,030, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $94,260. Median annual earnings were $67,390 in motion picture and video industries and $46,810 in advertising and related services.
Earnings for self-employed artists vary widely. Some charge only a nominal fee while they gain experience and build a reputation for their work. Others, such as well-established freelance fine artists and illustrators, can earn more than salaried artists. Many, however, find it difficult to rely solely on income earned from selling paintings or other works of art. Like other self-employed workers, freelance artists must provide their own benefits.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Artists and Related Workers)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Art directors | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Manufacturing employment: 1,680 mean earnings: $61,200 (EC) (def) (IG) | $36,650 | $43,580 | $55,350 | $73,230 | $93,280 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 1,040 mean earnings: $57,370 | $35,700 | $41,420 | $51,530 | $66,650 | $89,280 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 160 mean earnings: $71,740 | $47,770 | $55,750 | $68,870 | $85,580 | $103,680 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: n.a. mean earnings: $62,990 | $37,790 | $43,140 | $55,810 | $78,660 | $101,630 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 570 mean earnings: $80,690 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,530 | $49,910 | $67,330 | $98,510 | $145,580 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 210 mean earnings: $75,570 | $42,540 | $51,790 | $66,040 | $89,090 | $123,560 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 270 mean earnings: $85,990 | $39,150 | $48,710 | $70,480 | $110,470 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 90 mean earnings: $76,520 | $31,880 | $48,540 | $65,080 | $94,740 | $140,200 |
| Retail Trade employment: 520 mean earnings: $77,390 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,740 | $50,670 | $65,780 | $88,170 | $142,620 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 70 mean earnings: $58,050 | $24,020 | $45,860 | $56,620 | $71,060 | $96,710 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 160 mean earnings: $86,690 | $37,220 | $42,790 | $58,350 | $102,610 | >$145K |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 200 mean earnings: $78,570 | $48,580 | $58,050 | $72,350 | $90,860 | $113,820 |
| Information employment: 6,960 mean earnings: $67,940 (EC) (def) (IG) | $32,920 | $45,100 | $57,680 | $83,900 | $113,670 |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 5,090 mean earnings: $64,480 | $31,060 | $42,480 | $56,920 | $79,870 | $107,850 |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: 1,010 mean earnings: $81,510 | $46,430 | $50,670 | $59,840 | $98,330 | >$145K |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 500 mean earnings: $69,330 | $35,030 | $44,730 | $57,080 | $86,270 | $127,000 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting employment: 110 mean earnings: $91,080 | $43,150 | $58,310 | $78,690 | $116,060 | >$145K |
| Telecommunications employment: 90 mean earnings: $60,370 | $29,530 | $36,050 | $50,530 | $76,930 | $96,950 |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 110 mean earnings: $78,090 | $45,080 | $57,040 | $70,580 | $95,780 | $118,640 |
| Other Information Services employment: 40 mean earnings: $71,460 | $39,220 | $48,580 | $71,200 | $95,470 | $108,340 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 150 mean earnings: $94,830 (EC) (def) (IG) | $47,290 | $54,230 | $74,030 | $110,460 | >$145K |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 40 mean earnings: $70,160 | $41,820 | $51,550 | $67,230 | $84,220 | $100,230 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 40 mean earnings: $64,240 (EC) (def) (IG) | $41,650 | $48,270 | $58,380 | $73,480 | $90,490 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 14,820 mean earnings: $79,380 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,400 | $50,580 | $68,580 | $94,830 | $139,410 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 14,820 mean earnings: $79,380 | $39,400 | $50,580 | $68,580 | $94,830 | $139,410 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 1,360 mean earnings: $81,550 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,890 | $56,570 | $75,650 | $98,990 | $125,130 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 1,360 mean earnings: $81,550 | $42,890 | $56,570 | $75,650 | $98,990 | $125,130 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 420 mean earnings: $79,900 (EC) (def) (IG) | $43,280 | $54,280 | $71,360 | $93,740 | $127,250 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 420 mean earnings: $79,900 | $43,280 | $54,280 | $71,360 | $93,740 | $127,250 |
| Educational Services employment: 610 mean earnings: $54,240 (EC) (def) (IG) | $31,460 | $37,220 | $49,900 | $61,170 | $84,500 |
| Educational Services employment: 610 mean earnings: $54,240 | $31,460 | $37,220 | $49,900 | $61,170 | $84,500 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 50 mean earnings: $64,480 (EC) (def) (IG) | $36,930 | $44,490 | $61,810 | $74,290 | $102,490 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 1,350 mean earnings: $54,120 (EC) (def) (IG) | $25,480 | $33,070 | $47,130 | $66,100 | $89,150 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 930 mean earnings: $53,170 | $28,270 | $33,160 | $46,180 | $64,780 | $85,540 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 280 mean earnings: $58,900 | $29,180 | $36,080 | $50,510 | $67,430 | $90,830 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 150 mean earnings: $51,000 | $12,500 | $14,010 | $44,000 | $78,360 | $101,160 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 430 mean earnings: $71,520 (EC) (def) (IG) | $27,090 | $41,600 | $69,320 | $95,310 | $117,330 |
| Personal and Laundry Services employment: n.a. mean earnings: $29,370 | $23,620 | $24,600 | $26,220 | $27,850 | $28,830 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 370 mean earnings: $78,860 | $38,160 | $53,870 | $76,090 | $100,830 | $119,850 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 320 mean earnings: $67,780 (def) (IG) | $38,240 | $50,550 | $67,130 | $84,760 | $101,620 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 320 mean earnings: $67,780 | $38,240 | $50,550 | $67,130 | $84,760 | $101,620 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.