Top 5 Artistic Careers that Pay Well

Well paying artistic careers

Unfortunately, there’s a long-standing cultural stigma toward artists and careers. Guidance counselors and parents might tell you that the life of an artist is a struggle, but making a successful career out of your art isn’t as difficult as you’ve been told. Forging your way into a creative and well-paying career requires only elasticity in your artistic pursuits, stretching them into positions you may not have thought were applicable.

We recently dug through dozens of creative pursuits to find the best-paying jobs for artists and anyone with an affinity for creativity. Take a look at our list below to learn how you can turn your passion and talent into long-term and secure employment.


 

Artistic Career #1: Graphic Designer

  • Degree: Graphic Design
  • Median Pay: $44,150

Create visual concepts, by hand or using computer software, and communicate ideas that inform, inspire, and captivate consumers. As a graphic designer, you’ll develop the overall layout and production designs for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.

>> View more about how to become a graphic designer

Artistic Career #2: Photographer

  • Degree: Photography
  • Median Pay: $54,016

Professional photographers, either photojournalists or event photographers, can establish a career through their art by interning for magazines and participating in freelance photography. Learning how to shoot portraits and wedding photos is a high-paying plus. Once you’ve made a name for yourself, there’s never a shortage of work. The highest-grossing professional photographers can make up to $10,000 per session.

Artistic Career #3: Copywriter

  • Degree: Creative Writing
  • Median Pay: $55,940

Hone your writing skills through marketing, and you’ll notice an immediate difference in your art. Advertising copywriting teaches a writer how to use brevity to their advantage as well as how to remove a subjective tone – an important skill when it comes to working for any business or brand. Copywriting will make a writer more versatile as it requires out-of-the-box thinking that makes daily work challenging and exciting.

>> View more about how to become a copywriter

Artistic Career #4: Art Director

  • Degree: Visual Art
  • Median Pay: $84,200

Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images of magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and even movie and television productions. They create the overall design of a project and direct others who develop artwork and layouts. You’ll utilize the skills you’ve learned in your own art to develop a consistent style that will appeal to your viewers, and learn through experimentation what will resonate most with your audience.

Artistic Career #5: Fashion Designer

  • Degree: Fashion Design
  • Median Pay: $61,160

Fashion designers create original clothing, accessories, and footwear. They sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and give instructions on how to make the products they designed. Working your way into a designer position requires relentless creativity and years of experience working in your chosen field. You must be highly-skilled in manipulating fabrics and materials, which comes as an extension of developing your own pieces.

>> View more about how to become a fashion designer

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