Also called: Studio Painter, Visual Artist
Creates original paintings to sell through galleries, art fairs, online shops, and commissions.
Most days start in the studio, stretching canvases, mixing paint, and working on a series for an upcoming show. Part of the job is business: photographing work, posting on Instagram, emailing galleries, and shipping sold pieces. Many painters also teach weekend workshops to steady their income.
BLS wage data covers only salaried artists; over half of fine artists are self-employed and income swings wildly. Many working artists combine art sales with teaching or commissions, and a small number of famous artists earn millions.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. A BFA is common but not required; many successful painters are self-taught. A portfolio and exhibition history are what count.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Painting, Studio Art, Fine Arts, Illustration.
Growing slowly (about 0% over 10 years). BLS projects little or no change for craft and fine artists, 2024-34; competition is intense.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI images flood cheap decor and stock art, squeezing low-end sales; original physical paintings and the artist's story keep value.
Classes: AP Studio Art 2-D Design, AP Art History, Painting elective.
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.