Complete Range

• Artists fall into one of five major categories, as developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These categories are art directors, artists (all other), craft artists, fine artists (sculptors, painters and illustrators), and multimedia artists and animators. The range for all of these workers is $16,760 to $160,060, based on 2009 BLS data.
  
  

Ranges by Artist Type

• Each category of artists has its own salary range. Art directors make $41,670 to $160,060. Artists in the "all other" category earn $24,600 to $95,030. Craft artists have salaries of $16,760 to $57,550. Fine artists earn $19,680 to $86,650. The salaries for multimedia artists and animators can be anywhere from $32,360 to $99,130.
  
  

Self-Employment

• Many artists are self-employed. The salary range for self-employed artists has a wider variance than the range for salaried workers, says the BLS. The BLS explains that self-employed artists sometimes charge very low fees to build their reputation and get the experience they need. Once well-established, a self-employed artist may pull in a salary that is comparable to or even better than the salary of an industry-employed artist.
  
  

Considerations

• Getting income for many artists depends on the ability to display work and get commissions. The more the artist's work is available for view, the more likely it is they will sell work and get asked to do more. However, galleries and other organizations that provide these marketing opportunities to artists are selective---there are more artists than positions and space, so galleries and organizations pick only the best. Networking in the industry is crucial. Artists often are reliant on grants. Many artists don't make enough to meet all of their everyday expenses and simultaneously purchase materials for their projects, which is why people stereotype these professionals as "starving." Because these grants and the purchasing power of clients depend on available funds, artist salaries are sensitive to economic fluctuations.