Also called: Astronomical Artist, Space Concept Artist
Paints and digitally renders scenes of planets, spacecraft, and future missions that cameras can't capture.
You work with scientists to paint what an exoplanet's surface might look like, then create concept art for a company's future lunar base. Some space artists work for NASA, others freelance for magazines and games.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Art degree helpful but portfolio matters most.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Illustration, Fine Arts, Astronomy.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI image generators now make space art in seconds, cutting paid illustration work; distinctive artists still find clients.
Classes: Art or drawing, Astronomy, Computer science, Graphic design.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1013.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.