Craft Artists

Craft Artists

Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.

Salary by State

State Name Employment Annual Salary Hourly Salary
California 320 $65,510 $31.50
Colorado $41,280 $19.85
Florida 100 $32,010 $15.39
Georgia $51,550 $24.78
Idaho 110 $39,830 $19.15
Illinois $48,890 $23.51
Maine 30 $38,610 $18.56
Massachusetts 140 $40,820 $19.63
Michigan 410 $35,210 $16.93
Minnesota 90 $50,180 $24.13
Missouri 250 $48,090 $23.12
Nebraska 50 $32,150 $15.46
Nevada $28,740 $13.82
New Hampshire 50 $39,550 $19.02
New York 120 $49,770 $23.93
North Carolina 70 $29,500 $14.18
Ohio 80 $37,440 $18.00
Oklahoma 120 $34,480 $16.58
Pennsylvania 30 $50,390 $24.22
Tennessee $44,400 $21.35
Texas 540 $31,670 $15.22
Utah 100 $32,130 $15.45
Virginia 30 $37,940 $18.24
Wisconsin $31,700 $15.24
Wyoming 40 $33,770 $16.24

Education

The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.

A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the visual and performing arts and that may prepare individuals in any of the visual artistic media or performing disciplines.

Miles College
Miles College
Fairfield, AL
Bachelor's Degree

A program that focuses on the aesthetics, techniques, and creative processes for designing and fashioning objects in one or more of the handcraft or folk art traditions, and that prepares individuals to create in any of these media.

Certificate
Certificate
Bachelor's Degree

A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of the visual arts. Includes instruction in art, photography, and other visual communications media.

Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree

A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions through representation by lines made on a surface. Includes instruction in eye-hand coordination; line, value, shape, and perspective; figure and still life drawing; the use of media such as pen and ink, pencil, charcoal, pastel, and brush; and personal style development.

Cerritos College
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
Associate Degree
Chabot College
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
Associate Degree
Chaffey College
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Associate Degree

A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by the application of paints and related chemical color substances to canvases or other materials. Includes instruction in color and color mixing, surface preparation, composition, oil and acrylic media, watercolor media, painting techniques, and personal style development.

Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
University of Hartford
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
Bachelor's Degree

A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by creating three-dimensional art works. Includes instruction in the analysis of form in space; round and relief concepts; sculptural composition; modern and experimental methods; different media such as clay, plaster, wood, stone, and metal; techniques such as carving, molding, welding, casting, and modeling; and personal style development.

Bachelor's Degree
De Anza College
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
Associate Degree

A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by rendering art concepts onto surfaces and transferring images, via ink or dyes, onto paper or fabric. Includes instruction in monochrome and color printing; tonality; chemistry; equipment set-up and maintenance; techniques such as serigraphy, lithography, intaglio, woodcut, block, stencil, relief, etching, and composite; and personal style development.

Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
University of Hartford
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
Bachelor's Degree
Yale University
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Master's Degree
Master's Degree

A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by producing art works out of clay and similar materials. Includes instruction in handbuilt and wheelthrown techniques; molding; slips and glazes; trimming and decorating; firing and kiln operation; oxidation; mixed media; ceramic murals; and personal style development.

Butte College
Butte College
Oroville, CA
Certificate
Bachelor's Degree

A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by constructing art works from woven or non-woven fabrics and fibrous materials. Includes instruction in weaving techniques and loom operation; non-woven techniques such as knitting, coiling, netting, and crocheting; quilting; dyeing and pigmentation; printing and other finishing techniques; pattern design; tapestry; and personal style development.

Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree

A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by fashioning jewelry from gems, other stones, and precious metals. Includes instruction in design concepts, electroforming, enameling, gemology, lapidary technique and art, metal and non-metal casting and molding, metal coloring, metalsmithing and finishing, personal style development, photo etching, and stone cutting and polishing.

Academy of Art University
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
Associate Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree
Bachelor's Degree

A program that focuses on the development of individual artistic expression and technical skills necessary for fabricating refined metal works. Includes instruction in aesthetics, anodizing, art history, casting, design, electroforming, enameling, metalsmithing, sculpture, two and three-dimensional design, wax carving, and welding.

Cranbrook Academy of Art
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Master's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
  • $40,730 per year
    National average salary
    Moderate
    Job growth rate
  • No formal educational credential
    Typical education requirement
  • Long-term on-the-job training
    Typical on-the-job training requirement

Educational Attainment

The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as craft artists.

  • Less than high school 3%
  • High school graduate 12%
  • College dropout 19%
  • Associate’s degree 8%
  • Bachelor’s degree 44%
  • Master’s degree 13%
  • Doctorate degree 2%

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