SOC 27-1019.00
All artists and related workers not listed separately.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
Annual pay range
6,930 people work in this occupation.
In short
This diverse category of artists and related workers includes specialized creators like calligraphers, ceramic artists, and art appraisers. In 2025, the median annual pay for these professionals was $71,240.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
All artists and related workers not listed separately.
People in this career perform creative and specialized artistic tasks that are not classified under other specific art occupations. Depending on their specific title, these workers may design advertising layouts, restore damaged art objects, create ceramic pieces, or evaluate the value of artwork as consultants or appraisers. The daily work requires a strong focus on fine arts, design principles, and practical craftsmanship.
Success in this field relies on artistic expression, attention to detail, and practical knowledge of materials and techniques. These workers must be self-motivated and persistent, as much of their work is self-directed. They use their hands and specialized tools to shape, paint, write, or repair items. Strong communication skills are also important for those who consult with clients or evaluate art pieces for collectors and organizations.
There is no formal educational credential required to enter this career. However, many individuals prepare for these roles by studying relevant creative fields in college. Related majors that can help build the necessary skills include fine and studio arts, design and applied arts, crafts or craft design, folk art and artisanry, community or socially-engaged art, and general visual and performing arts.
While formal degrees are not mandatory, building a strong portfolio of work is often essential to demonstrate capability to clients or employers. Additionally, licensing requirements vary by location, as some states list a license for this work.
The median annual pay for these artists and related workers was $71,240 in 2025. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience, reputation, and specialty. The lowest 10 percent of workers in this field earn less than $36,580, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $136,660.
There were 6,930 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 2 percent, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth, along with normal turnover, is expected to result in about 1,100 job openings each year.
Advertising Designer · Architectural Modeler · Art Appraiser · Art Consultant · Art Objects Repairer · Autographer · Calligrapher · Ceramic Artist · Ceramics Artist · China Painter
Career pathway
Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.
1Interests
2This career
3Majors
4Colleges
This career
Majors
Colleges
College Scorecard program outcomes
Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.
Seattle, WA · Design and Applied Arts · Bachelor's
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.
NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk
Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.
1,455 colleges offer it
1,175 colleges offer it
571 colleges offer it
26 colleges offer it
10 colleges offer it
CareerOneStop
What artists and related workers, all other may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.
Programs of study that prepare people for this work.
34 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.
Body Piercing, Tattooing and Permanent Cosmetic Coloring
Taxidermist - Fish & Game
Taxidermist - Fish & Wildlife
Shop Registration
Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure, Division of Professions & Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies
Eyelash Technician
Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section, Health Care Systems Branch, Department of Public Health
Tattoo Technician
Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section, Health Care Systems Branch, Department of Public Health
Tattoo Technician - Training Permit
Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section, Health Care Systems Branch, Department of Public Health
Body Piercer/Operator
Division of Medical Quality Assurance, FL Department of Health
Hair Wrapper
Division of Professions, FL Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation
Tattoo Artist
Division of Medical Quality Assurance, FL Department of Health
TAXIDERMIST
Body Piercer
Tattoo Artist
Tattoo Artists, Body Piercers, and Ear Piercers
TAXIDERMIST AND FUR-TANNER
Forest, Wildlife & Heritage Division, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Natural Hair Culturist Limited Instructor
Bureau of Professional Licensing, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Taxidermist
Body Art Technician
Division of Health Policy and Systems Compliance, Minnesota Department of Health
Taxidermist License
Body Piercer
Body Piercer and Brander
Brander
Tattooist
Tattooist and Body Piercer
Tattooist and Brander
Tattooist, Body Piercer and Brander
Taxidermists
Body Brander
Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services, Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services, Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services
Body Piercer
Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services, Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services, Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services
Tattoo Artist
Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services, Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services, Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services
Taxidermists
Body Art Practitioner
Tanning Equipment Operator
Body Art Apprentice
Body Art Apprentice Sponsor
Body Piercing Artist
Tattoo Artist
Bonus Antlerless Deer License
Licensing, Customer Support Section, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Brands (Animal)
Veterinary Division, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Fox Tag
Licensing, Customer Support Section, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Laser Hair Practitioner
Tattooing
Health Service Regulation, NC Department of Health & Human Services
Taxidermy
Licensing, Customer Support Section, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Trophy Sale Permit
Licensing, Customer Support Section, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Taxidermists
Body Piercing and Tattoo Artist
Occupational Licensing Divisionm - 0509, Oklahoma State Department of Health
Body piercer, specialty
Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office
Body piercer, standard
Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office
Body piercers, earlobe-only
Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office
Tattoo artist
Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office
Taxidermist License
Master Hair Care
Master Hair Care Apprentice
Taxidermist
BODY PIERCING ARTISTS/TECHNICIAN
Division of General Environmental Health, Department of Health
TATTOO PROFESSIONAL
Division of General Environmental Health, Department of Health
TN BEAUTY PAGEANT OPERATOR
Division of Consumer Services, Department of Commerce and Insurance
Body Piercer Apprentice License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Body Piercing - Ear Only Salon License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Body Piercing Salon License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Body-Piercer Ear-Only License (individual)
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Body-Piercer License (individual)
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Permanent Cosmetic Tattoo Salon License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer License and Instructor Certificate
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing School License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Tattoo Parlor License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Tattoo Parlor License, Limited Term
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Tattooer Apprentice License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Tattooer License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Tattooer License and Tattooing Instructor Certificate
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Tattooer License, Limited Term
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Tattooing School License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Wax Technician License (Individual)
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Wax Technician License and Instructor Certificate
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Waxing Salon License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Waxing School License
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Artist (Tattoo,Body Piercing, Body Art)
Body Piercing Technicians
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources - Environmental Health Services
BODY PIERCING PRACTITIONER
Division of Professional Credential Processing, WI Department of Safety and Professional Services
MANICURING INSTRUCTOR
Division of Professional Credential Processing, WI Department of Safety and Professional Services
TATTOO PRACTITIONER
Division of Professional Credential Processing, WI Department of Safety and Professional Services
TAXIDERMIST
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.
Your plan
Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
Workers in this category hold a variety of unique titles. Examples include advertising designers, architectural modelers, art appraisers, art consultants, art objects repairers, calligraphers, and ceramic artists.
There is no formal educational credential required to enter this field. However, students can prepare by majoring in fine and studio arts, crafts, or design and applied arts.
Licensing depends on your location and specific line of work. Some states list a license for this occupation, so it is important to check local regulations.
Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.
Version 31.0
Version 2025-35 · Data year 2025
Version 2025 · Data year 2025
Version 2020 · Data year 2020
O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.
Page data updated November 5, 2026.