Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $84,950 +40.3% vs national
Median hourly $40.84
10th percentile $51,450
90th percentile $202,710
Employed locally 230
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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San Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,450
    25th
    $64,480
    50th (median)
    $84,950
    75th
    $125,800
    90th
    $202,710

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary vs area income 63% Median Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary is 37% 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
    Naples-Marco Island, FL $83,670
    Massachusetts $83,530
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $83,270

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

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $140,660
    California $140,080
    South Carolina $72,990
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $60,770
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $54,990
    North Carolina $44,920

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $98,460
    Coaches and Scouts $47,260
    Producers and Directors $122,210
    Graphic Designers $89,490
    Media and Communication Workers, All Other $99,420
    Editors $99,720

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in San Francisco, CA is $40.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $81.04 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary in San Francisco, CA is 40.3% above 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (10th percentile) earn around $51,450 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,480.