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Calligraphy Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

Calligraphy information

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$5

$57

How much do calligraphy jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for calligraphy in New York is $53.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52.88 and $56.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is calligraphy?

A calligraphy job involves creating decorative handwritten designs for various purposes, such as wedding invitations, certificates, logos, and artwork. Calligraphers use specialized tools like dip pens, brushes, and digital tablets to produce elegant lettering. They may work as freelancers, for design studios, or in industries like publishing and event planning. Attention to detail, patience, and knowledge of different calligraphy styles are essential skills for this profession.

What are some typical projects and clients a professional calligrapher might work with?

Professional calligraphers often work on a diverse range of projects, including wedding invitations, event signage, personalized gifts, certificates, and branding materials like logos or packaging for businesses. Their clients can range from individuals seeking bespoke pieces for special occasions to corporate clients and graphic design studios requiring unique lettering or artwork. Many calligraphers also collaborate with event planners, stationery designers, and marketing agencies. The work environment can be freelance, studio-based, or within a creative agency, allowing for flexibility and a variety of assignments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in calligraphy, and why are they important?

To thrive in calligraphy, you need excellent artistic ability, fine motor skills, and a deep understanding of typographic principles, usually honed through formal art education or workshops. Familiarity with various calligraphy tools, such as dip pens, brushes, specialty inks, and digital design software, is essential. Strong attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to take client feedback graciously help calligraphers excel in their craft. These skills are vital for producing high-quality, customized work that meets client expectations in a competitive creative market.

Can you make a career out of calligraphy?

Calligraphy can be a viable career for those skilled in artistic lettering, often involving freelance work, selling custom pieces, or working with design and branding companies. Success typically requires building a strong portfolio, marketing skills, and knowledge of tools like pens and digital software. Many calligraphers supplement income through workshops or online sales.

How to start a career in calligraphy?

To start a career in calligraphy, develop your skills through practice and study of different styles, and build a portfolio of your work. Consider taking courses or workshops to improve technique and learn about tools like pens, inks, and paper. Gaining experience by offering services for events or creating online content can help establish your reputation in the field.

Is calligraphy a good career?

Calligraphy as a career involves creating decorative writing for clients, events, or commercial projects, often requiring artistic skill and attention to detail. Income can vary widely based on experience, reputation, and the type of work, with many professionals supplementing their income through workshops or selling artwork. Success in this field typically depends on building a strong portfolio, marketing skills, and consistent quality work.

Is there a demand for calligraphers?

The demand for calligraphers varies depending on the industry and location, with opportunities primarily in wedding invitations, branding, and custom artwork. While digital design has reduced some traditional demand, skilled calligraphers with a strong portfolio and proficiency in tools like Adobe Illustrator can find freelance or niche work in events and luxury markets.
Infographic showing various Calligraphy job openings in New York as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $111,818 per year, or $53.8 per hour.

Research Associate, Chinese Painting & Calligraphy [End-Dated]

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, NY • On-site

$72K - $74K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


The Metropolitan Museum Of Art rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 29 rated museums


Job description

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City-The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.
Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.
At The Met, every staff member - from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond - lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.
Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.
Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.
Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.
Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise-and inspire curiosity and creativity.
Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The Department of Asian Art is one of The Met's most active curatorial departments with a large curatorial and conservation staff responsible for studying, caring for, displaying, and enabling access to the over 36,000 objects in its collection.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
As the Research Associate, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, you will provide research and support for the Curator of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, with a focus on building and strengthening the scholarly and organizational infrastructure for ongoing and upcoming exhibition projects and research topics. Working closely with the Curator, you will contribute to the development of an upcoming exhibition on Chinese portraiture, support research into acquisitions, and advance the scholarly foundation of the collection; you will assist the curatorial, administrative, and exhibitions team during the planning and development of the exhibition. Truth and Image: Portraits in China, 1000-1900 will be the first major exhibition to examine the development of the genre across the span of premodern and early modern Chinese history.
This is a position with an established end-date or time frame. Time frames will begin upon hire: 2 Years
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
  • Conduct in-depth research on objects in preparation for exhibition and publication, including compiling artist biographies, provenance, bibliographies, and exhibition histories
  • Assist with research related to recent and prospective acquisitions, including the preparation of acquisition reports and supporting materials
  • Draft and edit object texts for exhibition labels, catalogues, and digital platforms
  • Develop and maintain object checklists, research files, and internal documentation
  • Assist with the study and interpretation of inscriptions in classical Chinese
  • Coordinate with cross-departmental colleagues on exhibition planning, timelines, and recordkeeping
  • Serve as a liaison with Collections Management to ensure accurate and up-to-date information in the Museum's database
  • Source comparative images and organize visual materials for research, exhibition, and publication purposes
  • Assist with the composition of interpretive material, including gallery labels, images/captions, digital content, or other assets, and securing rights Assist with the organization of lectures, symposia, and educational programs related to the collection
  • Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Master's degree in art history or a related field required; PhD in Chinese art history preferred
  • Strong background and expertise in Chinese portraiture.
  • 1 - 2 years of demonstrated academic research experience, either as an independent researcher or fellow.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, an ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, and proven follow-through
  • Fluent in written and spoken English and Chinese
  • Ability to conduct research in primary sources in modern and classical Chinese
  • Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel), Microsoft Teams, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and Adobe Photoshop; experience with TMS (The Museum System) database preferred.
  • Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication and collaboration skills.

COMPENSATION RANGE:
  • Pay Range: $72,000.00 - $74,000.00 / Annually

The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
Location Requirements
At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. "Commuting distance" means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the "Tri-state and PA" areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.
Benefits Offerings
The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.
  • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
  • 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
  • Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
  • Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
  • Free financial-planning services
  • Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
  • 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
  • A subsidized staff cafeteria
  • Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired attributes for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.
The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

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