Occupation salary profile

Craft Artists

SOC 27-1012 BLS OEWS May 2025

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

National median · BLS
$46,080
▲ +19.75% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$49,740
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
4,580
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Craft Artists

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$25,960
25th$35,020
Median (50th)$46,080
75th$58,240
90th — top pay$71,990

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Craft Artists

BLS projects employment of craft artists to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,000 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
11,500 → 11,800
+200 jobs
Projected change
+2%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,000
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
62.1% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need no formal education →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Craft Artists

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Critical Thinking3.1
  • Active Listening3.0
  • Monitoring3.0
  • Reading Comprehension3.0
  • Speaking3.0
  • Judgment and Decision Making2.9
  • Social Perceptiveness2.9
  • Active Learning2.8
  • Complex Problem Solving2.8
  • Persuasion2.8
Top knowledge areas
  • Design3.9
  • Fine Arts3.7
  • Sales and Marketing3.6
  • English Language3.3
  • Customer and Personal Service3.3
  • Production and Processing3.2
  • Communications and Media2.8
  • Mechanical2.8
Software and technology used
FacebookDRAWSTITCH Artistic Sewing SuiteElectric Quilt Quilt Design WizardEmail softwareEmbroidery design softwareFloriani MDQ My Decorative QuilterJohn Hesselberth and Ron Roy GlazeMasterPattern design softwareSales management softwareSmugMug FlickrTwitterWeb browser software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: 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. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What craft artists do

  • Select materials for use based on strength, color, texture, balance, weight, size, malleability and other characteristics.
  • Create functional or decorative objects by hand, using a variety of methods and materials.
  • Develop concepts or creative ideas for craft objects.
  • Apply finishes to objects being crafted.
  • Cut, shape, fit, join, mold, or otherwise process materials, using hand tools, power tools, or machinery.
  • Set specifications for materials, dimensions, and finishes.
  • Advertise products and work, using media such as internet advertising and brochures.
  • Sketch or draw objects to be crafted.
Also called
ArtistFiber ArtistGlass ArtistTextile ArtistCeramic ArtistDecorative Arts Production ArtistFine Craft ArtistGoldsmithHand-WeaverTapestry Artist
More job titles for this occupation (43)
Art Objects RepairerArtisanCalligrapherCandle MakerCeramics ArtistChina PainterColorerColoristCopyistCraft WorkerCrafterCrafts WorkerCraftsmanCustom FramerCustom Picture FramerFiber DesignerFlag DecoratorFrame StylistFramerFurniture ArtistGuitar MakerHand PotterIndustrial CraftsmanInkerInstrument DesignerIvory CarverLuthierMemorial DesignerMetal Arts Production ArtistMetal Crafts ArtistModelerMusic AutographerMusic GrapherOpaquerOrnamental Metalwork DesignerPicture CopyistPicture FramerQuilterResidential CraftsmanSkilled CraftsmanTaxidermistToy MakerWood Crafter

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.