Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $57,290 -5.4% vs national
Median hourly $27.54
10th percentile $36,960
90th percentile $78,910
National median $60,560

Compare Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary & buying power

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Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
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Buffalo, NY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,960
    25th
    $44,820
    50th (median)
    $57,290
    75th
    $67,240
    90th
    $78,910

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary vs area income 81% Median Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary is 19% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $140,660
    California $140,080
    Central East New York nonmetropolitan area $96,400
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $84,950
    Naples-Marco Island, FL $83,670
    Massachusetts $83,530

    Nearby metros — Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $80,760
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $80,070
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $67,010

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $48,440
    Public Relations Specialists $66,000
    Graphic Designers $56,850
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $36,320
    Audio and Video Technicians $49,210
    Producers and Directors $77,240

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Buffalo, NY is $27.54, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.22 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salaries?

    The median Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary in Buffalo, NY is 5.4% below the national median of $60,560. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Buffalo?

    Entry-level Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (10th percentile) earn around $36,960 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,820.